Strong year for cargo at Budapest Airport.

Monday 7th February, 2011

Budapest Airport met its targets for cargo flown during 2010, carrying 82,638 tonnes and a total of 5,808 freighter movements in the year ending December 31. This represents a 32% increase over cargo tonnage flown and a 23% increase in freighter ATMs during 2009.

“The result was satisfying in what has been a turbulent year,” commented Budapest Airport Vice President Cargo and Logistics Christa Soltau, who noted that performance overall was close to that of 2007, when movements were at an all time high.

Highlights of the year included confirmation from Cargolux to add a fifth weekly 747-400F flight from Hong Kong, reflecting enhanced demand for direct cargo services to Asia. Strong markets for cargo in 2010 were led by Asia and the USA. There will be more cargo volume this year with new regular passenger services coming from the USA – from New York with American Airlines in April and Delta Airlines reinstating its services from June. Each departure of Qatar Airways’ new three-times weekly Airbus A320 flights to Doha, for example, is capable of accommodating eight tonnes of cargo in the hold. (This new flight linking Budapest with the Middle East launched in January 2011).

During 2010 there were very few diversions owing to weather for the airport, while Budapest Airport accepted a number of aircraft diversions itself because of poor weather elsewhere. This was testimony to years of experience in operating under extreme winter conditions and having invested in the right equipment.
New BUD Cargo City scheduled to open in late 2012
Cargo will play a big role in the airport’s expansion plans this year, with its new Cargo City being built adjacent to the passenger Terminal 2. Work is ongoing in readiness for late 2012 completion. It will be a new home for handling agents, freight forwarders and integrators. All the facilities will be tailored to the needs of tenant companies. The airport, currently served by 53 cargo operators from heavy metal aircraft such as the B747-400 from Cargolux and El Al to the major integrator flights of UPS, DHL, TNT and Fed Ex and its smaller feeder aircraft, will all be able to increase their cargo handling capacity within the next two years up to 250,000 tonnes a year. Currently, the airport has the capacity for up to 120,000 tonnes.
“Budapest has access to a catchment area of 20 European markets within 1,000km and we are playing an increasingly important role for logistics and distribution in the Central Eastern European market and beyond,” concluded Christa Soltau.

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