Hungarian airport set for major expansion with new terminal and runway plans

The city of Debrecen has officially signed a contract worth HUF 1.73 billion (approx. EUR 4.2 million) with the award-winning BORD Architectural Studio (BORD Építész Stúdió) for the complete redesign and expansion of Debrecen International Airport. The plans include a brand-new passenger terminal, an extended runway and taxiway system, and a dedicated area for small aircraft operations.

Visionary design for a growing airport

According to mfor.hu, the municipality of Debrecen first announced the airport expansion design tender in September 2021, attracting seven submissions. BORD Architectural Studio’s concept was selected as the winner in December of the same year. Following a special negotiated procedure without prior publication, the official contract was signed on 8 April 2025.

The design task, based on Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology, includes high-level construction permit documentation for a 10,800-square-meter terminal building and detailed plans for approximately 476,500 square meters of paved surfaces. The architectural firm has 500 days to complete the project, ÉpítészFórum writes.

According to BORD’s statement, their winning concept was inspired by “the joy of flying, the fascination with aircraft and engineering marvels, and a passion for childlike wonder fused with technical precision.” The proposal aims to redefine the passenger experience at Debrecen Airport while showcasing cutting-edge architectural and engineering design.

A strategic development for Eastern Hungary

As Hungary’s second-largest city, Debrecen is rapidly developing its infrastructure to support regional growth and international connectivity. Despite fluctuations in airline capacity—most notably Wizz Air’s reduced operations—passenger traffic in 2023 exceeded 300,000. The city expects similar numbers in 2024 and is actively working to attract new airline partners and routes.