Budapest Airport is one of the world’s top 50 transport companies

Budapest Airport (BUD) is a gateway to Hungary. The number-one Hungarian airport is a world and European leader in many, many ways, here are two pieces of good news.

According to a study by KPMG Consulting, Budapest Airport’s contribution to Hungary’s gross value added last year was estimated at HUF 1,780 billion, or 2.7% of GDP.

BUD is one of the world’s top 50 transport companies

Budapest Airport continuously monitors and benchmarks its sustainability performance, in order to improve it. According to an ESG assessment carried out this year, the airport operator has achieved a low risk rating, which confirms that the company pays special attention to environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects in its investment decisions. The airport operator received a score of 13.2 in Sustainalytics’ ESG risk management rating process this year, ranking 49th out of 187 transport companies assessed worldwide and 995th out of 15,718 companies rated globally.

In order to achieve its environmental objectives and to further develop its sustainability activities, Budapest Airport conducted an ESG (environment, social, governance) focused assessment for the second time. During the risk analysis, Sustainalytics assesses companies primarily on the basis of the market situation and key global and regional indicators; a comprehensive ESG risk analysis includes more than 70 management indicators.

As we wrote a few days ago, the completion of the Hungarian state takeover of Budapest Airport may face a delay until 2024, and subsequent plans involve the potential construction of a third terminal at Liszt Ferenc Airport in collaboration with a Qatari investment company, details HERE.

Budapest Airport is among the European leaders in greener aircraft

The most effective way for Budapest Airport to reduce the environmental impact of the airport is to cooperate with its airport partners. Therefore, as part of its Greenairport program, launched in 2015, BUD works with more than 40 partner companies to reduce the airport’s carbon and ecological footprint. The program’s objectives cover not only the operation of the airport in the strictest sense, but also making aviation greener.

The company is also in constant consultation with its airline partners on the introduction of sustainable solutions. One of the most significant results of this is that in the period of April to August, almost a third of aircraft movements were carried out with new-generation aircraft, which are significantly more environmentally friendly than older types. This is one of the highest proportions in Europe.

Another main strategic pillar of this program is the development of e-mobility, as part of which Budapest Airport is continuously expanding its fleet of electric vehicles and developing its e-charging infrastructure, encouraging its partner companies to develop e-mobility. At Budapest Airport, the operator and its partner companies already have a fleet of more than 100 electric ground service vehicles performing their daily tasks, with 43 charging parking positions installed by Budapest Airport.

On 6 November 2023, Budapest Airport’s ground handling partner, Menzies Aviation became capable of fully electric ground handling.

For example, passenger boarding and disembarkation and baggage loading are carried out exclusively with electric equipment, and electric versions are available from all types of ground service equipment in their fleet, enabling a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of up to 80 percent per aircraft, compared to diesel-powered equipment. Menzies Aviation is currently able to handle two Wizz Air aircraft with electric equipment in parallel.

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