Liszt Ferenc International Airport

Liszt Ferenc International Airport
Name	Liszt Ferenc International Airport
IATA	BUD
ICAO	LHBP
Owner	Budapest Airport Zrt.
Operator	Budapest Airport Zrt.
City-served	Budapest
Location	Pest County, Hungary
Hub	* Wizz Air * Ryanair
Elevation-m	151
Coordinates	47, 26, 22, N...
Website	https://www.bud.hu/
Pushpin label	BUD
R1-number	13L/31R
R1-length-m	3,700
R1-surface	Asphalt
R2-number	13R/31L
R2-length-m	3,010
R2-surface	Asphalt

Liszt Ferenc International Airport. It is the busiest airport in Hungary and serves as a primary international gateway to the capital city of Budapest. Named after the renowned Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, the facility is a major operational base for several low-cost carriers and handles a significant portion of the nation's air passenger and cargo traffic. Strategically located in Pest County, southeast of central Budapest, it features modern terminals and two parallel runways capable of accommodating a wide range of aircraft.

History

The airport's origins trace back to 1939 when construction began on a military airfield, with the site later being used by the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. Following the war, it was developed for civilian use, with the first passenger terminal opening in 1950, serving the Hungarian national carrier Malév Hungarian Airlines. A major expansion occurred in 1985 with the opening of Terminal 2, significantly increasing capacity. Following the political changes of 1989, the airport was renamed in 2011 in honor of Franz Liszt. The airport's operator, Budapest Airport Zrt., was privatized in a transaction involving consortia like Hochtief and later AviAlliance, and has since overseen continuous modernization, including a major expansion of Terminal 2 completed for the UEFA Euro 2020 football championship.

Facilities

The airport complex consists of two connected passenger terminals: Terminal 2 is divided into concourses 2A and 2B, handling all Schengen Area and non-Schengen flights. The older Terminal 1 was closed to scheduled traffic in 2012. Key facilities include a modern central security screening area, a variety of retail and dining options featuring brands like Heinemann and Starbucks, and premium lounges such as the Plaza Premium Lounge. The airfield features two parallel runways, 13L/31R and 13R/31L, equipped with ILS CAT IIIb and CAT I systems, respectively. A dedicated cargo area supports freight operations for companies like Cargolux and Qatar Airways Cargo.

Airlines and destinations

The airport serves as a focus city and operational base for several European low-cost carriers, most notably Wizz Air, which maintains its largest base here, and Ryanair. It is also served by numerous full-service network airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways, providing connections to major hubs like Frankfurt Airport, Charles de Gaulle Airport, and Heathrow Airport. Seasonal and charter flights are operated by carriers such as Travel Service Hungary and Corendon Airlines, linking Budapest to popular holiday destinations across the Mediterranean and beyond. Long-haul services have included routes to cities like New York and Beijing operated by airlines such as American Airlines and Air China.

Statistics

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport consistently reported record passenger numbers, serving over 16 million passengers in 2019, making it one of the busiest in Central and Eastern Europe. It is a critical cargo hub for the region, handling over 150,000 tonnes of freight annually. The top destination countries typically include the United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, and Spain, reflecting both business and leisure travel patterns. The airport's traffic recovery post-pandemic has been robust, driven largely by the expansive networks of its base carriers. Aircraft movements exceed 140,000 per year, with the busiest single day on record seeing over 700 takeoffs and landings.

Ground transportation

The airport is well-connected to Budapest and the wider region via multiple transport modes. The Budapest Metro Line M3 provides a direct, economical rail link to the city center at Deák Ferenc tér, with the journey taking approximately 45 minutes. The airport is also served by the 100E express bus service to the city center and numerous local Volánbusz bus lines. For road access, the airport is directly connected to the M0 ring road around Budapest and the M4 motorway, facilitating travel by car or taxi. Official taxi services are coordinated by companies like Főtaxi, and several international car rental agencies, including Hertz and Europcar, operate facilities on-site.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has maintained a strong safety record throughout its operational history. One of the most notable incidents occurred in 1994 when a Malév Hungarian Airlines Tupolev Tu-134 aircraft, operating a flight from Istanbul, overran the runway upon landing in poor weather conditions; there were no fatalities. In 2011, a cargo aircraft operated by ASL Airlines Hungary experienced a landing gear malfunction but landed safely without injuries. These isolated events have not significantly impacted the airport's overall safety standing, which is regulated by the Hungarian Civil Aviation Authority and adheres to stringent EASA standards.

Category:Airports in Hungary Category:Transport in Budapest Category:Buildings and structures in Pest County