Budapest Airport reaches 19 million passengers

• On 9 December, the 19 millionth passenger arrived at Ferenc Liszt International Airport on board an SAS flight.
• This is another record in the 75-year history of the airport and foreshadows further dynamic growth in passenger traffic in the future.
• The arriving Danish citizen was welcomed jointly by Visit Hungary, Budapest Airport and the airline.

Ferenc Liszt International Airport has become one of the most dynamically developing airports in the region in recent years. After handling 17.6 million passengers last year, this year has brought new records; since April, more than 1.5 million passengers passed through the airport every month, and the busiest summer ever was followed by an exceptional fall, with an average of 1.8 million passengers. December marked a significant milestone in the 75-year history of the airport; before the end of the year, traffic already reached 19 million passengers. On 9 December, the 19 millionth passenger arrived on board a SAS Scandinavian Airlines flight. The lucky guest was welcomed by Visit Hungary, the airline and Budapest Airport, part of the VINCI Airports network.

“Hungary’s growing appeal as a tourist destination, our airline development strategy based on diversification and VINCI Airports’ extensive partner network are all essential components of the dynamic passenger growth we are experiencing this year more strongly than ever before. We warmly welcomed our 19 millionth passenger of the year to Budapest,” said Francois Berisot, the CEO of Budapest Airport. “As an airport operator, we are constantly working on developing the airport, in order to prepare it for the growing passenger traffic and to ensure the best possible experience for passengers visiting Hungary and departing from Budapest,” he emphasized.

Budapest Airport, Visit Hungary and SAS Scandinavian Airlines welcomes the Hungarian gateway’s 19 millionth passenger 

Olivér Csendes, the CEO of Visit Hungary, highlighted: “Budapest Airport’s latest record clearly shows that conscious developments and Visit Hungary’s data-driven, experience-focused campaigns are achieving tangible results and increasing Hungary’s international appeal. It also confirms that our country and our capital city’s unparalleled sights, vibrant urban atmosphere and high-quality cultural and gastronomic offerings continue to make Hungary an outstanding travel destination. All this opens up new opportunities for the further development of tourism, which is also supported by developments to flights.”

“We are honored to welcome Budapest Airport’s 19 millionth passenger of the year on board an SAS flight arriving today from Copenhagen, and we greatly appreciate the continued confidence Hungarian travellers have placed in our services” – said Henrik Winell, Vice President Network at SAS Scandinavian Airlines. He added: “Over the past year, we have invested in expanding our presence in Budapest, increasing our Copenhagen service to two daily flights in the coming summer season, improving connectivity via our largest hub to Scandinavia, USA/Canada, Asia and other destinations. It is very rewarding to see our efforts paying off through such strong and growing demand.”

Visit Hungary made the winner and their partner’s stay in Hungary even more memorable with an experience package redeemable in Budapest, while SAS surprised the winner with a return airline ticket for two, which can be freely used within the airline’s network.

Budapest Airport is responding to record traffic and the dynamic growth expected in the future by continuously developing its airport infrastructure, which serves both to increase the airport’s capacity and to maintain a high-quality passenger experience.