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As Hungary battles a massive budget deficit, Orbán’s billionaire ally jets from island to island
Lőrinc Mészáros, Hungary’s wealthiest businessman, and his wife Andrea Várkonyi appear to be continuing an extensive, island-to-island luxury journey across the Pacific, with flight data now indicating that their next destination could be Singapore.
According to Hungarian media reports tracking the couple’s private jet, Mészáros is expected to leave Oceania on 11 January and head towards Southeast Asia after several days spent among remote island destinations. The billionaire and his wife have been travelling aboard a newly manufactured Bombardier Global long-range private jet, registered in Austria under the code OE-LOT. The aircraft, delivered in 2024, reportedly has a purchase price of around HUF 22 billion (EUR 57 million), according to 24.hu.
From Budapest to Hawaii without stopping
The journey began on 29 December, when the couple departed Budapest and flew non-stop to Los Angeles on the west coast of the United States, 24.hu writes. From there, they continued on to Hawaii, where they reportedly spent several days, including New Year’s Eve. On 5 January, the aircraft left Hawaii and headed south into the Pacific Ocean.
Temporary disappearance from flight trackers
At that point, the flight briefly disappeared from publicly accessible flight-tracking websites, prompting speculation and comments from independent MP Ákos Hadházy. He noted that the aircraft’s signal vanished roughly an hour after take-off from Honolulu, which raised questions about the jet’s exact destination.
Bora Bora and Fiji confirmed
Subsequent data, however, clarified the route. The private jet later appeared in French Polynesia, landing at Motu Mute Airport near Bora Bora, one of the region’s most exclusive holiday destinations. From there, the aircraft continued to the Fiji Islands, where it is currently believed to be located.
It would not have been much to cry over if the biggest thief of public money in Hungary’s history had been “lost over the Pacific Ocean” taking his new 57 million euro jet with him.
Maybe if Hungary hadn’t had to spend billions building a border fence to keep out third-world criminals and parasites, AND get financially punished by the E.U. for it, the deficit would be considerably less. Just a thought.
As far as the billionaire, he earned his money and, whoever he’s affiliated with in whatever way, he can spend it as he pleases without jealous little hacks lambasting him.
Oh, dear Steiner, your vision is truly selective. While the country faces a deficit, you applaud the former gas fitter for “earning” his billions and enjoying his “big money holiday.” The only “envy” here is for your spectacular ability to ignore the trail of public contracts and political favors that paved his runway from the workshop to the private jet. A real rags-to-riches fairy tale, if you just skip all the pages.
Such an idiot!
The man recently got himself a younger wife!
He has a new lease of life!
He is on a big money holiday but he is able to afford ut!
I really don’t see an issue here!
Other than envy!
Oh there is an issue here. The issue is the corrupt means the gas fitter used through Fidesz to obtain his money to become the richest man in Hungary. A lot of his wealth is being held in his possession for Orban’s family.