Budapest Airport Turns 75 — and Breaks Records Along the Way

If airports could throw themselves a party, Budapest Airport just had an unforgettable one. The Hungarian capital’s gateway to the world celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025 with fanfare, fireworks, and — naturally — record-breaking numbers. By the time the year ended, 19.6 million passengers and more than 420,000 tons of air cargo had passed through the airport, setting new highs for both travel and trade. Not bad for an airport named after a classical composer.

A Record-Breaking Year for Travel

Located 16 kilometers southeast of the city center, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is part of the VINCI Airports network and has quietly become one of Europe’s major aviation success stories. In 2025 alone, monthly passenger totals ranged between 1.5 and 1.9 million, marking an 11.7% growth compared to the previous year.

Much of that growth comes from Budapest itself — a magnet for travelers thanks to its steamy spas, grand cafes, and surprisingly budget-friendly prices. But the airport operator also deserves credit: its airline development strategy attracted more carriers and destinations than ever before. By December, passengers could choose from 154 destinations served by 45 airlines, the widest range in the airport’s history.

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And 2026 is already promising even more adventure. American Airlines will be back with a direct Budapest–Philadelphia route, while Air Canada re-launches flights to Toronto. There’s also a brand-new Budapest–Frankfurt service from Condor Airlines, and a new Hungarian-Chinese air agreement that is set to expand connections even further between Europe and Asia. North American travelers, prepare your passports — the Danube is waiting.

Expanding for the Future

With great traffic comes great responsibility, and Budapest Airport is meeting it head-on. To keep up with surging demand, the airport has embarked on a massive development program that includes expanded check-in and security screening areas, upgraded parking, and an extended Pier B. But the crown jewel is still to come: a new passenger terminal, one of the most ambitious aviation infrastructure projects in Central Europe.

Once complete, the terminal will redefine the travel experience to match Budapest’s increasingly global profile. The plan is to blend capacity and comfort — all while keeping the airport’s award-winning service levels that have already made it a passenger favorite.

In 2025, Skytrax recognized Budapest Airport as the best airport in the region for the 12th time, and the Airports Council International (ACI) crowned it the Best Airport in Europe in the 15–25 million passenger category. Apparently, Hungarian hospitality extends even to the departure gates.

Cargo on the Rise

It wasn’t just people moving through the terminals in record numbers. Air cargo hit an all-time high too, making Budapest Airport the leading logistics hub in the region. Freight volume surged by over 42%, from 300,000 to 426,519 tons in 2025 — a feat that earned the airport the title “Cargo Airport of the Year in Europe” at the Payload Asia Awards for the second consecutive time.

From pharmaceuticals and electronics to automotive parts, Budapest’s central location has turned it into a sweet spot for European logistics — a kind of “hub of hubs” where East meets West at cruising altitude.

A Year of Celebration, Culture, and Liszt

But it wasn’t all business. To celebrate 75 years of connecting Hungary with the world, the airport hosted a year-long program of cultural events worthy of its namesake, Ferenc Liszt. From live piano performances in the terminal on World Piano Day to a concert at the Liszt Academy, the festivities reminded travelers that this airport has style as well as stats.

There were even more creative tributes — a Liszt-themed installation in Terminal 2B, a pantomime performance with the Hungarian State Opera House, and the first-ever Aviation Ball for Hungary’s aviation community. The year ended with the launch of the airport’s new website, modernizing its online image to match the forward-thinking hub it has become.

Flying Into the Next Chapter

As Budapest Airport steps into 2026, the numbers tell one story, but the atmosphere tells another. Whether you’re flying in for a thermal bath weekend or connecting through to Shanghai or Toronto, the experience here is smoother, friendlier, and more efficient than ever.

With new routes, new records, and a shiny new terminal on the horizon, Budapest Airport isn’t just celebrating its past — it’s composing the next great symphony of European travel. And like all great performances, this one starts with a dramatic overture: arrivals, departures, and an orchestra of jet engines playing in perfect harmony.