Budapest Airport presents new identity to operators at its Gala ‘Night with the Stars’

Thursday 10th February, 2011

Budapest Airport entertained operators, travel agencies, hotel partners and associates to a Hollywood themed gala dinner and Awards night at the city’s Raleigh Film Studio last Thursday, 3rd February.

Some 200 guests attended an evening of networking and enjoyed a special preview of the airport’s new corporate branding and logo. The new image and branding, designed by Ogilvy and Mather symbolises Budapest Airport’s forward thinking, fresh, modern and dynamic personality. A formal presentation of the new look will be presented coinciding with the formal opening of the airport’s new SkyCourt development on March 18. “We want to stand out from the crowd,” said Aviation Director Kam Jandu, unveiling the new logo which uses the colours of spring.

“We are going through the greatest change in our history,” said the airport’s CEO Jost Lammers, highlighting it is just 42 days to the opening of SkyCourt – a modern and stylish new home for the airport’s full service carriers. Highlighting a strong year, taking into account disruptions such as the Volcanic ash, the airport handled nearly 8.2 million passengers in 2010. Budapest Airport is served by 32 airlines with flights to 92 airports, 80 cities in 40 countries.

Jost Lammers and Kam Jandu presented their own Airline Oscars for the year – recognising operational excellence and outstanding growth. The roll call was as follows:

Best Developing Full Service Airline: Lufthansa; Best Developing Low Cost Carrier: Wizz Air; Fastest Growing Full Service Airline: Hainan Airlines; Fastest Growing LCC Airline: Jet2.com; Best Marketing: KLM; Best Sales in Winter: Malev; Best Sales in Summer: Delta; Most Cargo Flights: ABC Air; Most Popular Travel Agency: Ibusz, and Most Innovative Travel Product to Best Reisen.

SkyCourt previewed to European transport leaders:

High-ranking transport officials from the European Union member states visited Budapest Airport this week to take a tour and review progress on the brand new SkyCourt development, partly financed from EU funds. The visitors, who included EU commission officials, were welcomed by Pál Völner, Hungary’s Secretary of State for Transport, Jost Lammers, CEO of Budapest Airport and Stephan Schattney, Director of the Budapest Airport BUD Future programme.

Centrally located SkyCourt, when fully operational in March will link existing terminals 2a and 2b. “SkyCourt will constitute a leap in the quality of passenger handling, not only offering unique architectural solutions, but also an excellent travel experience, whilst still on the ground,” Jost Lammers advised the group.

HungaroControl PLC, the air traffic control company ATC also demonstrated its world-class radar system and innovative navigation software. The delegation of 50 which represented 19 countries and three organisations were in Hungary attending an informal meeting in Gödöllő before attending a meeting on the implementation of the Single European Sky integration program. SES is designed to provide efficient and economical operations and support sustainable development for the future of aviation.

About Budapest Airport:

During 2010 Budapest Airport handled almost 8.2 million passengers through scheduled, charter and general aviation services. Budapest Airport Zrt. owns and operates Ferihegy Airport. This is a public private partnership with the Hungarian State holding 25% and the remaining 75 percent owned by German company HOCHTIEF AirPort, one of the world’s biggest independent airport managers, together with a further four financial investors: Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Montreal; GIC Special Investments, Singapore; and KfW IPEX-Bank, Frankfurt. In July 2008, Aero Investment S.á.r.l. became a new shareholder.

Through its BUD Future project Budapest Airport aims to be the aviation hub of the CEE region. Leading projects include:

SkyCourt - a new centrally located building which, when open in March 2011, will link the existing terminals 2a and 2b. SkyCourt will double the commercial area of the terminals and provide a wide range of retail outlets, international brands and an improved food and beverage offering. The contemporary glass structure will also offer an impressive view of the apron and aims to provide passengers with a unique travel experience.

Cargo City – New on-airport cargo facilities will feature 140.000sqm of cargo and logistics terminals designed for airlines, handlers and integrators.

Budapest Airport incorporates two terminals. Terminal 1 is a dedicated low cost carrier terminal and Terminal 2 services the traditional carriers. The airport is also the base for Malev, Hungary’s national airline and part of the One World alliance and is home to a further 32 airlines, serving over 92 destinations which represents 40 countries worldwide.

www.bud.hu