Budapest Airport Soars to New Heights: Record-Breaking Start to 2025
As Budapest continues to captivate tourists from around the world, Ferenc Liszt International Airport is experiencing unprecedented growth. This article highlights the latest developments at Hungary’s primary gateway, providing valuable information for travelers planning to visit the enchanting capital city.
Record-Breaking Passenger Traffic
January 2025 marked a historic milestone for Ferenc Liszt International Airport, with 1,293,556 passengers passing through its terminals. This figure represents a 17.5% increase compared to the previous year and sets a new record for January passenger traffic. The surge in numbers can be attributed to both Hungary’s growing popularity as a destination and Hungarians’ increased propensity to travel.
Most Popular Destinations
For those departing from Budapest, the top three destinations in January were:
Best deals of Budapest
- London
- Istanbul
- Paris
These cities highlight the diverse range of experiences available to travelers using Budapest as their starting point.
Cargo Handling Growth
The airport’s cargo operations have also seen significant growth. In January 2025, 28,646 tonnes of cargo were handled, marking a 58.5% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth underscores the airport’s importance as a logistics hub in Central Europe.
Expansion of Flight Options
Budapest Airport, part of the VINCI Airports network, is implementing a diversification strategy to support continued passenger growth. This approach focuses on:
- Attracting new destinations
- Expanding the number of airlines flying to existing destinations
As a result, passengers have more options to choose the most suitable service for their chosen route. Since the beginning of 2025, Budapest Airport has announced six new flights, including:
- Jet2.com flights to East Midlands Airport and Newcastle (UK)
- easyJet flights to Bordeaux and Nantes (France)
- Jazeera Airways service to Kuwait City
- SCAT Airlines flights to Shymkent, Kazakhstan
Infrastructure Improvements
To accommodate the growing number of passengers, Budapest Airport is undertaking significant infrastructure improvements:
- Refurbishment of the bridge leading to Terminal 2
- Renovation of the curbside area in front of the terminal building
These works, scheduled from February 20 to the end of June 2025, will result in some changes to traffic flow and passenger access:
- The departure (upper) level will be closed to vehicles
- Reduced pickup and drop-off areas on the arrivals (lower) level
- Changes to bus stop locations for the 100E airport shuttle
Tips for Travelers
Given these developments, travelers should keep the following in mind:
- Arrive at the airport 2.5 hours before your flight departure time
- Consider using Terminal Parking or City Break Parking, which offer 5 minutes of free parking twice daily
- Follow updated road signs and exercise caution when driving at the airport
- Special assistance will continue to be available for passengers with reduced mobility
As Budapest Airport continues to grow and improve, these developments promise to enhance the travel experience for the millions of visitors eager to explore the wonders of Hungary’s capital city.
Image source: Budapest Airport
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