Budapest Airport is gearing up for a bustling summer travel season, building on a record-breaking 2025 when nearly 20 million passengers passed through the Hungarian capital’s gateway.
Speaking at a background briefing in Budapest on Friday, CEO François Berisot said the airport handled 19.6 million passengers last year, an increase of two million compared with 2024. The growth was managed smoothly despite the significant rise in traffic, and airport operators are now preparing for even higher demand during the summer months.
Between June and August last year alone, approximately 5.5 million passengers travelled through Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. Similar or higher figures are expected this year as Hungary’s tourism sector continues to perform strongly.
More airlines and destinations than ever before
The airport’s route network has expanded considerably. While passengers could choose from 154 destinations served by 45 airlines in 2025, this year the number has increased to 166 destinations operated by 49 airlines, Portfolio writes.
Berisot highlighted two major long-haul additions launched in 2026 following lengthy negotiations:
- American Airlines’ direct service between Budapest and Philadelphia;
- Air Canada’s direct route connecting Budapest and Toronto.
According to the airport chief, initial feedback from passengers has been highly positive, underlining growing demand for direct transatlantic connections from Hungary.
Investments helping to manage growing traffic
Airport management attributes the continued growth to a series of operational and infrastructure improvements implemented over recent years.
New check-in counters and security corridors have been introduced, aircraft stand capacity has been expanded, and close cooperation with ground handling companies has helped reduce aircraft turnaround times.
The airport has also made significant progress in reducing delays. Laurence Erbs, Deputy CEO for Operations, said new online services introduced together with airlines have improved efficiency, while passenger screening capacity has been enhanced.
Although the number of security lanes has been reduced, newly designed screening corridors offer greater throughput. As a result, passengers can typically clear security within ten minutes, even during peak periods.
Cargo traffic also experiencing strong growth
Passenger numbers are not the only area showing strong momentum.
Budapest Airport handled 426,000 tonnes of air cargo in 2025, representing a remarkable 42% increase compared with the previous year. Growth has continued into 2026, with cargo volumes already up by around 15% so far this year.
The airport has increasingly positioned itself as a major regional cargo hub, benefiting from Hungary’s growing role in international manufacturing and logistics networks.
Middle East tensions affecting some routes
While passenger traffic has continued to rise, Berisot acknowledged that ongoing tensions in the Middle East have affected operations.
Several destinations served from Budapest have been impacted by the conflict involving Iran, leading to temporary suspensions or reduced flight frequencies on certain routes. Despite these challenges, the CEO stressed that Hungary and Budapest remain highly attractive destinations, providing a strong foundation for continued passenger growth throughout the year.
So far, passenger traffic in 2026 has increased by approximately 3%, although airport management said it remains difficult to forecast a final annual figure due to international uncertainties.
No fuel shortages expected despite concerns
Addressing questions about aviation fuel supplies, Berisot reassured travellers that there is currently no fuel shortage at Budapest Airport.
According to the CEO, supplier partners have been able to secure the necessary quantities of jet fuel, meaning summer travel plans should not be affected by supply issues.
Terminal 1 unlikely to reopen permanently
The temporary use of Terminal 1 during the UEFA Champions League final helped the airport cope with a surge in passenger traffic. However, Berisot described the move as an exceptional one-off measure.
He indicated that a permanent reopening of Terminal 1 is unlikely because the building cannot accommodate the technologies and operational requirements expected of modern airports in the future.
New parking facilities and transport improvements
Ahead of the summer season, Budapest Airport has also expanded access options for travellers.
A new long-term facility, the Relax Parking area, opened on 1 June, adding around 2,000 parking spaces and nearly 50 electric vehicle charging points. The airport now offers more than 7,000 parking spaces overall, including close to 90 EV charging stations, according to AIRportal.hu.
Passengers can reach the terminal from the new car park either via a 15-minute walk or by a dedicated shuttle service operating every 15 minutes, with a journey time of around eight minutes.
The airport is also supporting plans to increase the frequency of Budapest’s popular 100E Airport Express bus service. Several projects are being prepared to improve passenger handling, including a dedicated boarding zone and a ticket validation system.
Meanwhile, travellers continue to have access to a wide range of transport options, including taxis, ride-hailing services, car-sharing providers and airport shuttle services, with further premium transport upgrades planned in the coming months.
Strong foundations for another record year
Despite geopolitical challenges and uncertainty affecting parts of the aviation industry, Budapest Airport remains optimistic about the months ahead.
With expanding route networks, growing cargo operations, improved passenger services and major access upgrades, the airport appears well positioned to handle another record summer while maintaining efficient operations and passenger comfort.
