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Budapest Airport expansion begins: Foundation stone laid for third terminal by PM Orbán!
Hungary’s main international airport could become the region’s most important commercial and tourism hub by the end of the decade, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Friday at the ceremonial foundation stone laying of the new terminal complex at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (Budapest Airport).
Speaking at the event, the prime minister joked that it had been a “busy week”, referencing initiatives launched with singer György Korda and US president Donald Trump, before adding that the day’s milestone was the start of construction on the airport’s third terminal.
From privatisation to majority state ownership
Orbán recalled that nearly two decades ago, Budapest Airport had been sold to foreign investors who prioritised short-term profits over long-term development. As a result, upgrades stalled, property speculation began, and key projects — including a direct rail link to the city centre — never materialised.
After what he described as 14 years of persistent work, the Hungarian state regained majority ownership of the airport in 2024. A strategic partnership was then formed with French infrastructure giant Vinci, which brings decades of operational and development experience.
Record numbers and billion-euro investment
Passenger traffic hit a record 20 million last year, while the airport generated EUR 331 million in income — 25% above expectations. According to the government, this means the investment could pay for itself two years earlier than planned.
Two flagship developments are already underway. A concession has been launched for a rail connection linking Budapest Airport directly with Nyugati railway station, and construction of the new terminal — costing around EUR 1 billion — is about to begin.
Orbán said this will be the largest airport development project in Central Europe, with annual passenger numbers expected to reach 25 million by the end of the decade.
War seen as biggest risk
The prime minister warned that regional instability poses the greatest threat to these ambitions. War, he argued, weakens the economy and discourages tourists, adding that Hungary must stay out of conflicts in its neighbourhood.
Professional management and skilled workforce
Orbán stressed that while state ownership and investors are important, success ultimately depends on professional expertise and the quality of employees’ work. He admitted that “the state cannot run an airport on its own” and said experienced partners are essential.
Addressing the French company’s executives, he said Hungary considers them more than simple investors, describing them as trusted partners welcomed into the country’s economic “family”.
Aiming for regional leadership
If all plans are realised, the prime minister concluded, Budapest Airport could grow into the region’s leading commercial and tourism centre, strengthening Hungary’s position as a key gateway between East and West — without, as he put it, “having to change planes in Brussels.”
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