One of the most expensive aircraft landed in Budapest: Who was on board?

A very special guest landed at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport in the early hours of Tuesday: Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei and one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, arrived in the Hungarian capital aboard his own famously extravagant Boeing 747 “flying palace”. The visit is historic, as the Bruneian ruler has never before undertaken an official trip to Hungary.

His first official visit to Hungary

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced back in September that the Sultan would be coming to Budapest and Hungary for the first time. Details were finalised during the UN General Assembly, where Szijjártó described the discussions as “productive”. He emphasised the significance of the visit, noting that Hassanal Bolkiah, who rules an absolute monarchy, wields considerable international influence.

The exact timing of the visit was effectively confirmed by the arrival of the Sultan’s distinctive aircraft. Between 17 and 20 November, road closures and traffic restrictions are expected in Budapest due to the delegation’s presence, suggesting that a major diplomatic event is under way, Vezess.hu reports.

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Hassanal Bolkiah: Monarch of oil wealth

The Sultan has ruled Brunei since 1967, holding virtually all state power. His estimated fortune of around 30 billion dollars stems from the country’s vast oil and gas reserves. His opulent lifestyle is legendary: he owns more than 7,000 luxury cars, enormous palaces, yachts, and private aircraft.

His residence, Istana Nurul Iman, with its 1,788 rooms, is among the largest private homes in the world. His extravagance is well illustrated by the fact that Michael Jackson once performed at a family celebration, reportedly for tens of millions of dollars.

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The legendary flying palace: Gold-plated sinks, luxury suites, and a conference room

The aircraft that arrived in Budapest is based on a Boeing 747 once operated by Lufthansa. The Sultan had it completely rebuilt to serve as a suitably regal airborne residence.

The total cost of the aircraft may be as high as USD 400 million — more than HUF 130 billion.

What’s on board?

You can find gold-plated fittings throughout the cabin, lavatory sinks said to be made of real gold, crystal and wood-panelled interiors, luxury suites with bedrooms and private bathrooms, a dedicated meeting and conference room, an exclusive dining area, a fitness section, and even space for a helicopter landing pad.

It is no surprise that aviation enthusiasts gathered around the airport early in the morning, as such an aircraft is a rare sight even in Europe. The Sultan is also a qualified pilot and occasionally flies the enormous Jumbo Jet himself.

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Not the world’s most expensive private jet, but among the most impressive

Although the Sultan’s 747 is a symbol of extreme luxury, it is not the most expensive private aircraft in existence. That title belongs to Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal’s custom Airbus A380, which features, among other things, a concert hall and a Turkish bath.

Nevertheless, the Sultan’s aircraft remains iconic in its class and a truly rare sight — one that attracted particular attention upon landing in Budapest.

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What could the visit mean for Hungary?

Although little information is currently available regarding the exact programme and purpose of the visit, the high-level state trip could prove significant both diplomatically and economically. Strengthening relations between Brunei and Hungary may lead to long-term investments, as well as cooperation in education or the energy sector.