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Budapest Airport to rebuild key area soon
Budapest Airport (Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport) is preparing for a major airside reconstruction project after launching a public procurement tender to rebuild a crucial taxiway and create a new connection to an engine testing area.
The development, driven by rising passenger traffic and the growing size of modern aircraft, will affect a surface area comparable to a football pitch. The tender, announced by Budapest Airport, covers the design and full reconstruction of Taxiway K (TWY K), along with establishing a link between the Lufthansa apron and the engine run-up testing facility. The winning contractor will have 199 days to complete the works, with applications open until 23 March.
Larger aircraft and rising traffic behind Budapest Airport’s upgrade
The operator Budapest Airport said the project is necessary primarily because air traffic has grown significantly in recent years, while airlines increasingly operate larger aircraft that place greater demands on infrastructure, writes Magyar ÉpÃtÅ‘k.
The reconstruction aims to increase capacity, improve the technical condition of airport surfaces, and enhance operational safety. Another key objective is compliance with EU aviation regulations, particularly Regulation (EU) No 139/2014, which sets strict standards for airport infrastructure serving large aircraft categories known as Code E and Code F.
The works will focus on sections outside the runway safety strip along Taxiways K and A5, also affecting parts of Taxiways N and A6. In addition to resurfacing, the project includes the modernisation of utilities, terrain adjustments, and ensuring that all affected areas meet international aviation safety standards.
Football-pitch-sized construction area
Preliminary estimates indicate that the scale of construction will be substantial. The project involves widening concrete taxiway pavements and constructing roughly 4,500 square metres of new outdoor basalt-concrete surfacing.
In addition, around 7,800 square metres of asphalt shoulders will be demolished and rebuilt with widened structures to accommodate modern aircraft manoeuvring requirements.
Contractors will also need to review taxiway widths, shoulder dimensions, and turning radii at junctions, carrying out modifications wherever necessary to meet current operational standards.
Utility works form a significant part of the investment. These include replacing and upgrading drainage systems, stormwater channels, airfield lighting cables, and electrical infrastructure affected by the reconstruction.
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New link to engine testing area
Another major element of the project is building a new connection to the airport’s engine run-up testing zone. Plans call for approximately 680 square metres of new concrete pavement and about 180 square metres of new asphalt shoulder construction.
The project will also involve extensive drainage infrastructure, including the installation of roughly 811 metres of plastic pipeline and more than 400 metres of reinforced concrete drainage pipes.
Part of wider airport expansion
The taxiway reconstruction is just one of several large-scale developments planned at the airport. Authorities have previously announced state-backed infrastructure investments worth around HUF 1,000 billion (EUR 2.5 billion), aimed at significantly expanding capacity.
Among the most important projects is the planned construction of Terminal 3, with the foundation stone expected to be laid in early 2026. The long-term goal is to enable Budapest Airport to handle up to 40 million passengers annually at a high service level.
Additional planned works include renovating service roads in front of Terminal 2B and creating a new centralised de-icing facility — both considered strategically important for airport operations.
Passenger growth driving investment
The need for upgrades is underscored by strong traffic growth. Budapest Airport handled 17.6 million passengers in 2024, and by early December 2025 that figure had already surpassed 19 million.
New long-haul connections are also contributing to rising demand. American Airlines is restarting its Budapest–Philadelphia route, Air Canada is relaunching flights to Toronto, and China Airlines plans to operate up to six weekly flights between Budapest and Beijing from spring. These developments are expected to make Budapest the fourth EU capital with daily air links to China.