Hungarian state buys an international airport and develops three others

The ownership rights of Sármellék International Airport are now exercised by the Hungarian Tourism Agency, as the state has purchased 90 % of the company that operates the airport. The government has also decided about the support of developments at Börgönd and Pér airports, as well as the transferring of a railway track to extend the runway of Pápa Air Base.

The Hungarian state spent some 114 million Forints to purchase 90 % of the ownership of Hévíz Balaton Airport Kft from the municipality of Hévíz. The remaining 10 % stayed with the municipality – reported Magyar Nemzet based on information from the Hungarian National Asset Management Zrt. The Hungarian Tourism Agency will exercise ownership rights of the airport until 31 December 2022, as it was published in the Hungarian State Gazette on 11th November – potentially boosting the touristic developments of the area.

Why was it necessary for the state to transfer ownership rights? By purchasing the airport that used to belong to Hévíz Balaton Airport Kft., and the municipality of Hévíz, the aim is to increase transparency in state aids and to develop tourism as it is now a sector of particular strategic importance.

But this is not the only thing that was announced on 11^th November; the government also decided about the development of three other Hungarian airports. As AIRportal reported, these include:

Development of the Alba Airport at Börgönd

To develop the Alba Airport at Börgönd (located next to Székesfehérvár) – which is a small public airport used for sport and business purposes –, the Hungarian government decided to provide 750 million Forints to support the preparation of a feasibility study. László Palkovics Minister of Innovation and Technology will issue a supporting document to the municipality of Székesfehérvár.

Development of the Győr-Pér Airport

The government will also support developments of the Győr-Pér Airport. The Ministry of Innovation and Technology is preparing a proposal for the developments while making sure the costs will be eligible for EU cycle programs.

Extending the runway of the Pápa Air Base

Lastly, the government decided to fund the developments necessary to relocate a railway track in order to be able to extend the runway of Pápa Air Base.

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Source: Magyar Nemzet, AIRportal