Billion-euro airport expansion begins in Budapest with Terminal+ project

A major expansion has begun at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, where the cornerstone of the new Terminal+ complex has been laid. The project could become one of Hungary’s largest transport investments in the coming years.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Nicolas Notebaert, President of VINCI Airports, ceremonially placed the cornerstone of the new terminal together with a time capsule on 20 February, AIRportal.hu reported.

According to the plans presented, the development will build on the existing facilities and create a larger, integrated terminal complex.

A world-class Central European hub

Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister said the development would significantly strengthen Budapest Airport’s regional role. By the end of the decade, it could become one of the region’s leading aviation and tourism hubs, with annual passenger numbers potentially reaching 25 million.

The development is also expected to support tourism growth and strengthen Hungary’s role as a regional aviation gateway.

The investment linked to Terminal 2 is valued at close to €1 billion. Plans to connect the airport to the rail network also remain on the agenda and are expected to be implemented under a concession scheme.

Orbán also noted that cooperation between the Hungarian state and VINCI made it possible for the airport to return to majority Hungarian ownership in 2024. According to the Prime Minister, the facility generated €331 million in profit last year, significantly exceeding expectations.

What will be built under the Terminal+ project?

Within the roughly €1 billion investment programme, several major developments will be carried out. Plans include:

• a new terminal building of more than 35,000 square metres,
• the construction of an approximately 15,000-square-metre passenger pier,
• 13 new aircraft stands,
• 132,000 square metres of new apron area,
• and the installation of a 7.2-megawatt solar power system.

As a result of the development, the airport’s capacity could increase by around 10 million passengers per year.

Read our earlier report on the foundation stone ceremony.

Strong figures at Budapest Airport

Commenting on the positive figures, Nicolas Notebaert, Chief Executive of VINCI Concessions and President of VINCI Airports, said Budapest Airport remains on a strong growth trajectory. Passenger numbers reached nearly 20 million in 2025, and new long-haul routes may appear in this year’s schedule to the United States, Canada, South Korea and several Chinese cities.

Cargo traffic has also expanded significantly in recent months. Air freight volumes rose by around 40 per cent, and Budapest Cargo City is playing an increasingly important role in traffic between Asia and Europe.

The Terminal+ project will not be completed in a single phase but will be delivered modularly in several stages, allowing individual elements to be integrated into airport operations progressively.

According to current plans, the full development expected to be completed over the next four to seven years., although capacity is expected to increase noticeably as works progress. The operator says the investment is needed to ensure the airport can keep pace with growing passenger demand.