History of the Budapest Airport – A budapesti repülőtér története

Summer is here, and more and more passengers are visiting Budapest Airport to jet off to their well-deserved holidays abroad. But do you know how long the capital has had an airport? What other airports are and were in Hungary? That’s what this article is about.

The Budapest Airport

The need for an airport in Budapest arose in 1938, and an area between Pestszentlőrinc, Rákoshegy and Vecsés was assigned as the area of the new airport. The Airport was intended for joint civil-military-sporting purposes.

In the northwestern part of the area civil facilities while in the southwestern part of the area military facilities were to be built. The planning and construction of the terminal – just like any other buildings – was put on a public bid. Subsequently, in December 1939, Károly Dávid Jr. (1903-1973) won the tender, as his work was judged to be the most appropriate for implementation.

Being one of the pioneers of modern Hungarian architecture, the designer’s idea was to create a building that resembled a large aircraft from above. The construction began in 1942, and in order to provide fast access from the city centre to the airport, also an express road was constructed between 1940 and 1943, that is still used today. Active air traffic started in 1943 but slowed during wartime, resuming after World War II.

In 1950, the airport was reopened for civil aviation, operating as Hungarian-Soviet Civil Aviation Co. Ltd. (MASZOVLET). At that time, the airline operated only a few foreign flights, in particular to Prague, Bucharest, Warsaw and Sofia.

Malév Hungarian Airlines was established in 1954, expanding flights to Western destinations. The first scheduled flight departing from the airport to the West was Malév’s flight to Vienna in the summer of 1956. The first Western airline to launch a flight to Budapest was KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, in 1957. The terminal building was finished during this period, and the 2,500-metre-long runway was lengthened, to accommodate larger aircraft. The 3,010 m runway and taxiway D were completed at the end of 1958.

The number of landings at the airport increased from 4786 at the time of opening to 17,133, and passenger traffic from 49,955 to 359,338 by 1960. Scheduled and charter passenger and cargo flights departed to more and more countries.

A comprehensive study in 1965 led to airport development in the 1970s, addressing capacity limits. The Aviation and Airport Directorate (LRI) was established in 1973. Passenger traffic hit one million in 1974, prompting new projects like a control tower and a second runway.

In the 1980s, with increased traffic, a new terminal, Terminal 2, was built. By 1990, the airport served 2.5 million passengers and controlled 75,000 aircraft in Hungarian airspace. Terminal 2B construction started in 1997, opening in 1998 to meet growing demand.

In 2002, the airport transitioned to private ownership, with Budapest Airport Zrt. taking over operations. Passenger traffic doubled between 1998 and 2005, leading to major investments. The British company BAA initially managed the airport, followed by HOCHTIEF AirPort and its partners.

From 2007 to 2011, the SkyCourt project and Airport City development plan defined the airport’s growth. Terminal 2’s central hall construction began in 2009, enhancing passenger capacities. In 2012, Malév’s bankruptcy led to operational challenges, but the airport managed to minimize impacts.

Budapest Airport rebounded post-Malév, reaching record passenger numbers. The BUD 2020 development plan focused on expanding Terminal 2 with Pier B, increasing boarding gate capacity and improving infrastructure. The plan included a new baggage sorting hall and self-service baggage drop-off system, enhancing passenger convenience and security.

The completion of BUD Cargo City in 2019 bolstered air cargo handling. Phase one of the Pier 1 boarding hall was handed over in 2020, quadrupling space for low-cost carriers. Development continued with new baggage sorting facilities and additional security screening lanes, ensuring passenger-friendly services and efficient operations.

Answer the following questions in English! 

1. When did the need for an airport in Budapest arise?
2. Who won the public bid for designing and constructing the terminal of Budapest Airport?
3. What was the original purpose of the area where Budapest Airport was built
4. How did air traffic at Budapest Airport change after World War II?
5. When did Malév Hungarian Airlines establish operations at Budapest Airport?
6. What major developments occurred at Budapest Airport in the 1980s to accommodate increased traffic?
7. What were some key features of the BUD 2020 development plan for Budapest Airport?

Correct Answers:

1. The need for an airport in Budapest arose in 1938.
2. Károly Dávid Jr. (1903-1973) won the tender for designing and constructing the terminal of Budapest Airport.
3. The area where Budapest Airport was built was intended for joint civil-military-sporting purposes, with civil facilities in the northwestern part and military facilities in the southwestern part.
4. Air traffic at Budapest Airport slowed during wartime but resumed after World War II.
5. Malév Hungarian Airlines established operations at Budapest Airport in 1954.
6. In the 1980s, a new terminal, Terminal 2, was built at Budapest Airport to accommodate increased traffic.
7. The BUD 2020 development plan for Budapest Airport focused on expanding Terminal 2 with Pier B, increasing boarding gate capacity, improving infrastructure, and enhancing passenger convenience and security.