Great news! South Korean airline set to return to Budapest!

South Korea’s Asiana Airlines is reportedly preparing to relaunch its Budapest route as part of its 2026 summer schedule, marking the carrier’s return to the Hungarian capital after several years.

Big return to Budapest

According to Korean industry sources cited by news1, the airline is currently finalising internal preparations ahead of the official announcement, writes Budflyer. The plans were further confirmed by Asiana Airlines’ CEO, Song Bo-young-nam, who told Korean journalists on 23 October:

We are going to open a new route to Hungary – to Budapest.

If confirmed, the route will become Asiana’s eighth scheduled service to Europe. The carrier currently operates flights to Barcelona, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London, Paris, Prague and Rome.

• Fuel supply disruption at Budapest Airport: could flights be affected?

Or is it a return after all?

Although Asiana Airlines merged with Korean Air in 2024, both brands continue to operate separately for the time being. Asiana remains well-regarded for its premium service, being listed among Skytrax’s prestigious 5-star airlines – a recognition shared in Budapest only by Hainan Airlines, Korean Air and Qatar Airways.

This would not be the airline’s first appearance in Hungary. Back in 2016, Asiana was the first Korean carrier to operate direct charter flights between Seoul and Budapest, using its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.

• Another direct flight may operate between Budapest and America

More airlines consider coming to the Hungarian capital

At present, Korean Air is the only airline offering direct flights between Seoul and the Hungarian capital, with four weekly services during the summer and three in the winter schedule, following LOT Polish Airlines’ withdrawal from the route.

The announcement of Asiana’s return comes amid growing interest from Korean carriers in the Central European market. Just last year, the low-cost airline T’way Air – now rebranded as Trinity Airways – also revealed plans to include Budapest in its future network expansion.

The addition of a second South Korean airline operating to Hungary would not only enhance connectivity between the two nations but could also boost tourism and business relations, further strengthening the Hungarian capital’s position as a key aviation hub in Central Europe.