Hungary’s second-largest airport up for sale – here’s who will take it over

Following a government decision, the Hungarian state will transfer its majority stake in Debrecen International Airport. 

Significant changes are coming to the airgate, as the government announced on Thursday that it would restructure the ownership of the company operating the facility. Under the decision, the state will transfer its stake to a specialised holding company, Haom.hu reported.

The state’s 66.22% majority share will be handed over to the National Regional Airport Operating Holding Ltd. The transaction will be carried out directly, without a competitive tender, and the purchase price will be determined by an independent expert.

Not a sale, but a transfer?

Commenting on the transfer of the majority state-owned stake, Máté Lóga, Secretary of State responsible for economic strategy, industry, financial resources, and macroeconomic analysis at the Ministry of National Economy – and also chairman of the board of Budapest Airport Plc. – stated in an article in Világgazdaság that the transaction is not privatisation but a transfer of ownership rights.

“Essentially, as Minister Márton Nagy has already announced, an aviation holding company will be established, responsible for operating all state-owned aviation infrastructure. The state is, let’s say, transferring the stake from direct management to a holding company it indirectly owns. Everything remains unchanged: the airport stays state-owned,” Lóga wrote in his comment.