Spain

Unexpected Ryanair decision concerning summer 2025 flights affects Hungary

More Ryanair flights come to Hungary this summer

Ryanair plans to reduce capacities by 18% in 12 routes this summer compared to the summer of 2024 in Spain. That means deleting approximately 800,000 seats, a decision that would hit Spain’s tourism. Meanwhile, they plan to transfer freed capacities to other countries where governments facilitate growth. The good news is that one of the target countries is Hungary.

According to portfolio.hu, Ryanair, one of Europe’s largest low-cost airlines, was outraged by the decision of the Spanish state-owned Aena airport operator to increase operation fees. As a result, they decided to reduce capacities in Spain by 18%, which means deleting 800,000 seats in 12 routes. Based on their relevant statement, the Irish budget airline said they would delete flights to Jerez and Valladolid. Meanwhile, they will cut flight frequency to Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, Zaragoza, and Santander. Experts believe the measure will affect the Spanish tourism sector, especially on the economy of regional destinations.

Photo: depositphotos.com

More Ryanair capacities in Hungary

Ryanair said they would relocate those capacities to countries where governments facilitate growth. The target countries include Hungary, Croatia, Morocco, Sweden, and Italy. Spain’s tourism sector expanded in 2024, airports welcomed 309 million tourists last year, a record number. Spanish authorities remain optimistic about the future and calculate further growth in the sector. However, Ryanair’s decision might mean a step back for multiple regions, especially in towns where they do not plan to fly this summer. Ryanair did not share any details concerning which new flights they would start from Hungary or on which routes they would increase flight frequency.

Read also:

Wizz Air left passengers in Debrecen without compensation, says passenger – airline rejects allegations

Wizz Air oversized baggage

Wizz Air left its passengers stranded in Debrecen, Eastern Hungary, on New Year’s Eve due to a technical fault with a de-icer. However, a passenger has claimed the actual reason was the lack of pilots with sufficient experience to fly in foggy conditions. Furthermore, the passenger alleged that the Hungarian airline failed to compensate those affected. Wizz Air has rejected all such allegations. Meanwhile, the Hungary-based low-cost carrier has announced how many of its planes must remain grounded due to issues with Pratt & Whitney engines.

Wizz Air left passengers in Debrecen for one day

According to index.hu, despite assurances, Wizz Air has not compensated passengers left stranded in Debrecen on New Year’s Eve. The publication also noted in its article that British travellers voted Wizz Air the worst budget airline of 2024.

Based on a passenger’s account, Wizz Air’s inability to fly from Debrecen was attributed to a fault in the de-icer. However, one of the three pilots informed passengers that the flight could not depart because the pilots lacked both the authorisation and experience required to operate the aircraft in foggy weather conditions. This pilot also revealed that the aircraft was being used for training purposes.

Wizz Air oversized baggage
Source: depositphotos.com

The Wizz Air crew reportedly assured passengers they would receive compensation for the inconvenience caused by the cancelled flight. However, a reader of Index claimed they had received no such compensation. Despite the late hour, the airline did not provide passengers with taxis or accommodation but promised to reimburse expenses upon submission of invoices.

The passenger further alleged that another Wizz Air aircraft was present in Debrecen on New Year’s Eve but was not used as a substitute. They believe that the de-icer on this second aircraft was functional since it successfully took off for London Luton on New Year’s Day. The passenger accused Wizz Air of providing false information to avoid mandatory compensation, blaming the de-icer fault as a pretext.

In an official statement to Index, Wizz Air confirmed there was an issue with the de-icer and explained that the flight was rescheduled to 1 January due to the unexpected technical fault. However, the airline did not disclose how many of its planes were in Debrecen on New Year’s Eve. Wizz Air stated that since the airport could not repair the de-icer until the following day, the London Luton flight was only able to depart on New Year’s Day.

The airline also confirmed that passengers were entitled to claim compensation for expenses caused by the flight’s rescheduling. However, they noted that only one such claim had been received so far.

wizz air base
Photo: www.facebook.com/Wizz Air

Private jet baulked Wizz Air plane’s take-off

On 2 January, a Wizz Air flight was unable to take off from Tenerife because a private jet blocked the runway, causing delays to the schedules of several airlines. As a result, approximately 180 passengers were unable to travel to Vienna from the Spanish island.

Wizz Air informed Telex that the delayed flight eventually departed on 3 January at 8:34 p.m. The budget airline stated that passengers had been kept informed about the changes and rescheduling options and had been provided with meal vouchers.

At least 40 Wizz Air planes remain grounded until next spring

Due to issues with Pratt & Whitney engines, Wizz Air must keep at least 40 of its aircraft grounded for maintenance, according to Airportal. The airline has signed an agreement with Pratt & Whitney regarding compensation for the disruptions.

Meanwhile, the Hungarian low-cost carrier is set to receive at least 50 new Airbus A321neo jets by spring 2026, which will increase its seat capacity by 20%. By next spring, 77% of the airline’s fleet will consist of sustainable, low-emission, new-generation A321neo planes.

Read also:

  • Wizz Air flight delayed 17 hours after bird strike during Tenerife landing – read more HERE
  • Wizz Air connects a charming town near Barcelona with Budapest!

Hungarian wine conquers one of the world’s best restaurants

Hungarian wine in Madrid elite restaurant (Copy)

A type of Hungarian red wine is served in the world’s 4th best restaurant, the DiverXO of Madrid, a place boasting three Michelin stars. Here’s what you should know about the 2021 Pinot Noir of the Bencze Family Estate.

Hungarian wine in one of the world’s best restaurant

According to Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, the Hungarian wine is among the top wines and sparkling wines the restaurant offers. Such restaurants compile a menu for their guests and provide wine types that go well with them. The Hungarian Pinot Noir is among international classics like the 1983 Chateau d’Yquem or the Salon champagne.

András Jókuti, the owner of the Hungarian gastro blog Világevő, shared some additional information about the increasing popularity of the special Hungarian wine product.

DiverXO in Madrid has been among the world’s top restaurants for years. The chef of the place is Dabiz Muñoz, who uses a lot of Asian spices and ingredients, which he combines with the flavours of his childhood and traditional Spanish aromas.

They recommend the Hungarian wine to a special dish, the premium toasted sea cucumbers glazed with eel jus and deglazed with La Manzanilla Pasada dry sherry wine. Mr Jókuti was surprised but happy that the Spanish star chef recommended the dish with a Hungarian wine. What’s more, the Pinot Noir, made and bottled near Hegymagas, a small village close to Lake Balaton, was in the restaurant’s official wine collection instead of the dessert wines.

Hungarian wine in Spanish elite restaurant
The sommelier of the Spanish top restaurant with the Hungarian wine. Photo: FB/Világevő

Hungarian wines are underrepresented in the world

Mr Jókuti said the winery produced only additive-free wines, which is very difficult since they do not treat their grape with chemicals. The flavour of the Pinot Noir is fruity. The wine’s taste is exciting, smooth-soft and perfectly suited to the textures, flavours and aromas of the dish.

Interestingly, the Bencze Family Estate exports 85% of its production abroad. The main targets are Europe, Japan and North America.

Bencze Family Estate Hungarian wine
Source: Bencze Family Estate/FB

István Bencze, the winery’s owner, said their success is an important milestone for the depressed Hungarian winemaking sector. It shows there is a growing interest in high-quality Hungarian wine products in the world.

Mr Jókuti said Hungarian wines are internationally underrepresented except for the Tokaji brand.

Read also:

  • A guide to the most famous Hungarian wines and grape varieties – read more HERE
  • Here are the best Hungarian wines of 2022

Wizz Air connects a charming town near Barcelona with Budapest!

The Hungarian low-cost airline, Wizz Air, plans to connect Budapest Airport with the charming town in Catalonia. The first flight is planned to depart on 1 April. That means the Hungarian budget airline will expand its network in Spain.

Girona, a charming pearl of Costa Brava

According to turizmus.com, Olívia Harangozó, the communications manager of Wizz Air, presented the airline’s plans for next year concerning Spain at an 11 December press conference. The event was attended by H. E. Ambassador Alfonso Dastis Quecedo and Rocio Martin, Consul for Tourism Affairs representing Spanish Embassies in Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania. They talked about Spanish traditions in the Advent and Christmas period.

The amazing town of Girona is just one hour away from Barcelona and a perfect starting point to discover Costa Brava. Girona is well-known for its beautiful Medieval architecture, coloured houses standing guard on the banks of River Onyar and vibrant cultural life. Of course, you can also discover the Mediterranean coast or the Pyrenees from there.

Wizz Air connects a charming town near Barcelona with Budapest
Photo: depositphotos.com

Wizz Air to fly three times a week

Wizz Air plans to operate three flights between Budapest and Girona from 1 April. The planes will take off on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Ticket prices will start from HUF 12,890 (EUR 31.5).

Wizz Air connects a charming town near Barcelona with Budapest
Photo: depositphotos.com

Wizz Air planes carry passengers to nine Spanish cities from Budapest.

According to turizmus.com, the Spanish Tourism Office aims to draw away crowds of tourists from Madrid or Barcelona to places like Girona. As a result, they could ease the negative effect of overtourism.

Wizz Air connects a charming town near Barcelona with Budapest
Photo: depositphotos.com

Read also:

Good news: Santa brought a new flight to Budapest, another may follow

Santa brought a new flight from Budapest and another may follow

Vueling, a member of the renowned IAG Group, returned to Budapest with a seasonal flight commuting between the most populous Basque city and Budapest Airport. If demand is sufficient, they may keep the flight in their summer schedule and expand their Budapest network with another city in Spain.

New flight to Budapest from Bilbao

Yesterday, Budapest Airport was happy to announce the arrival of the first Vueling flight from Bilbao, the largest city of Basque Country, an autonomous region of Spain. They wrote that from December to 1 January, a total of 6 flights will operate between Bilbao and Budapest, offering a chance to discover Basque culture and gastronomy.

Santa brought a new flight from Budapest and another may follow
Photo: FB/Budapest Airport

Budapest Airport recommends all tourists visit the Guggenheim Museum, the old town, Casco Viejo and the famous pintxos bars in the Basque city. If you are in Bilbao, do not forget to tell your Basque friends about Lipót Hertzka, a Hungarian football trainer who trained Athletic Bilbao between 1926 and 1928.

“Bilbao is a true gem, where modern art meets historic architecture and a new culinary experience awaits around every corner”, Budapest Airport concludes.

Vueling may launch a new flight to Barcelona from Budapest

According to Budflyer, a Hungarian air travel-focused Facebook page, another route may follow the opening of the Bilbao-Budapest flight. Vueling may keep the flight in its summer schedule if demand is high enough and may open a new flight to Barcelona in 2025. According to airportal.hu, the low-cost airline belonging to the IAG Group connected Budapest with Barcelona and Rome.

International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A., trading as International Airlines Group and usually shortened to IAG, is a British-Spanish multinational airline holding company with its registered office in Madrid, Spain, and its corporate headquarters in London, England. It was formed in January 2011 after a merger agreement between British Airways and Iberia, the flag carriers of the United Kingdom and Spain respectively, when British Airways and Iberia became wholly owned subsidiaries of IAG.

Since its creation, IAG has expanded its portfolio of operations and brands by purchasing other airlines – BMI (2011), Vueling (2012) and Aer Lingus (2015). The Group also owns the Level brand and Avios, the IAG rewards programme.

Read also:

Historic moment: permanent Puskás Museum opens its doors in Budapest – PHOTOS

The myth of Hungary’s legendary Golden Team will continue, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Monday, adding that successors of Ferenc Puskás and his team-mates must be capable of following their example.

The opening ceremony included speeches by Mária Schmidt, Director General of the House of Terror Museum and Chief Curator of the Puskás Museum, Emilio Butragueno, former Real Madrid star and current International Director, Sándor Csányi, President of the Hungarian Football Association (MLSZ), and video messages from Gianni Infantino, the head of the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the European Football Association (UEFA), and Aleksander Ceferin.

Orbán: We rebuilt the Hungarian football

Addressing the opening of a Puskás Museum in Budapest, Orbán said that 15 years ago, when his government began its efforts “to rebuild Hungarian football, “the favorite sport of the world and of Hungarians was “in ruins in Hungary.” “It was unbelievable that in fifty years, Hungary had nearly disappeared from the map in an area where it had been among the world’s best,” Orbán said.

“Russians back home, long live Hungarian freedom, go Hungary, go Hungarians!”

– Orbán quoted the former slogan, stressing that while communism is essentially internationalist, football is national.

Thanks to Puskás, Hungary has been aware of the Golden Team myth, Orbán said.

“When we founded a football academy and named it after him, or built a stadium … we continued to see world championships and champions’ league finals, stunning goals and beating Britain, Germany, or Brazil …,” he said.

The Puskás Museum, “a worthy memorial” dedicated to the legendary football player, has been set up within Budapest’s Puskás Stadium as a completion of the facility, Orbán said.

Historic moment: permanent Puskás Museum opens its doors in Budapest. Photo: MTI
Historic moment: permanent Puskás Museum opens its doors in Budapest. Photo: MTI

The relationship between Real Madrid and Ferenc Puskás is eternal

Emilio Butragueno, Real Madrid International Director, said that Ferenc Puskás was one of the most outstanding figures of Real Madrid, as he was part of the legendary team that, together with Alfredo Di Stefano and Paco Gento, under the leadership of President Santiago Bernabéu, changed the history of Real Madrid and world football forever.

According to Butragueno, the Real Madrid community remembers Ferenc Puskás not only as a footballer who achieved extraordinary results wearing the club crest and shirt but also as a man who represented values that captured the hearts of all Madridites. These include hard work, self-sacrifice, team spirit, respect, camaraderie, and humility, all of which are paramount for Real Madrid,” he added.

Historic moment permanent Puskás Museum opens its doors in Budapest
Historic moment permanent Puskás Museum opens its doors in Budapest. Photo: MTI

The International Director stressed that the entire Real Madrid community takes special pride in the museum, which also serves to transmit the values above. He concluded by saying that they are also grateful to Ferenc Puskás for his great role in the fact that so many people in Hungary are also fans of Real Madrid.

“This relationship between Real Madrid and Ferenc Puskás is eternal,” he concluded.

Video messages from UEFA and FIFA

A video message from Aleksander Ceferin, President of the European Football Association (UEFA), and Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, was played at the opening ceremony. Both paid tribute to Ferenc Puskás, highlighting his significant role in European and world football. The latter called the exhibition beautiful and world-class.

Photo Gallery

Day of Hungarian Football

25 November is also a symbolic date: The day of Hungarian Football is celebrated to commemorate the Hungarian football team’s defeat of the previously unbeaten English national team 6:3 in London on this day in 1953.

The Hungarian National team had a challenging game against Germany a few days ago: Hungary levels the score against Germany in 99th minute, Szalai receives thoughtful gift – PHOTOS

read also: Hungarian athletes included among 100 best Olympians

Spanish text-to-speech for beginners: click here to get started

Learning Spanish can be challenging, but technology has made it easier to bridge the communication gap. One of the most efficient tools for beginners and corporations is Spanish text-to-speech (TTS) software. With TTS, it’s simple to convert text into spoken Spanish, helping users grasp pronunciation, improve fluency, and increase accessibility. This guide walks you through how beginners can use TTS tools effectively and why they are essential for learning Spanish or creating content.

What is Spanish Text to Speech?

Spanish TTS translates written text into audio with natural-sounding voices, mimicking regional accents and inflexions. It adjusts speed to match native speech rhythms, producing audio suitable for language learning, content generation, or accessibility solutions, such as audiobooks for visually impaired learners.

Why Use TTS for Spanish Learning?

Spanish TTS tools help learners develop proper pronunciation and fluency, which can be tricky with new languages. Listening to native-level speech offers these advantages:

  • Pronunciation Practice: TTS software provides consistent speech, helping learners acquire the pronunciation of tricky words or sounds that never appeared in their native language. Learners are, therefore, better able to understand how words should be pronounced with rolled “r” sounds and unfamiliar diphthongs.
  • Exposure to Different Dialects: Spanish varies from one region to another, from Spain to Latin America and the United States. Most professional TTS software offers the option to change accents, so users will get used to the dialects and become multi-regional listeners.
  • Hands-Free Learning: TTS helps new learners to turn written words into audio and listen to them at any time when on the move-to work or while running errands-without having to sit back to read.
  • Accessibility: TTS ensures that all people, like slow readers or people with impaired vision, are able to read the Spanish language texts. It is especially useful for e-learning and online courses.

How to Get Started with Spanish TTS Software

TTS tools are user-friendly, requiring only text, a device, and a TTS platform. Follow these steps to start:

Input Your Text: First, you type or copy the text you would like to have converted into audio. You can begin with straightforward sentences for practicing purposes to longer texts such as stories or news articles.

Choose Accent: Some interfaces will allow you to choose between Castilian Spanish, used in Spain, and Latin American Spanish, used in places like Mexico, Argentina, or Colombia. This should enable you to get the local accent for your requirements.

Adjust the Voice: You can alter the speech by adjusting parameters like speed, pitch, or emotional tone. For instance, if you are a beginner, slower speeds will enable you to keep track better, while natural speeds provide a more natural experience similar to listening.

Generate and Listen: Once you have entered your options, click the “Generate” button to create the audio. Listening several times to the same text will help you memorise the words, phrases, and sentence structures.

For businesses or individuals interested in automating audio content, many TTS tools also support batch processing, where multiple pieces of text can be converted into speech simultaneously, streamlining the workflow.

Useful Applications of Spanish TTS Technology

Whether you are learning Spanish or you are developing content for an audience, TTS software has a lot to give you in many ways.

Tools for Learning Purposes: Teachers can use TTS software as a learning tool to enhance listening exercises and even deliver audio-based lessons. Such tools are a cost-effective alternative to hiring native-tongued tutors for pronunciation lessons.

Content Generation: Businesses, podcasters, and social media influencers can easily convert scripts into engaging audio files for videos, podcasts, or audiobooks. Platforms offering advanced TTS features allow you to maintain consistency across projects, enhancing the brand’s identity.

Accessibility and Inclusivity: Generating Spanish TTS content means making it accessible for the physically challenged, guaranteeing inclusion. This is helpful for websites, mobile apps, or educational tools that wish to be inclusive of several audiences.

Customer Service and Chatbots: Many businesses are using TTS for their automated customer service tools these days. Your chatbot can communicate with customers in natural-spoken Spanish, which will improve users’ experiences.

Benefits for Newcomers and Businesses

Spanish TTS enhances listening, pronunciation, and fluency by exposing learners to native-level speech. For businesses, TTS offers a cost-effective way to create professional audio without hiring voice actors, saving time and resources.

Whether you want to find a reputable source of evolving audio materials or an easy, efficient way to generate audio materials, you may want to consider Murf text-to-speech software. Its user-friendly interface and high-quality voiceovers make it ideal for personal users and businesses alike.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether you practice your Spanish or want to create interesting audio materials, it is high time you delve into Spanish TTS. Click here to dive in and discover how easy it is to transform text into speech. The tools are intuitive, flexible, and powerful, ensuring that users of all levels can benefit. From learning a new language to enhancing your brand voice, TTS software can open doors to new possibilities.

Getting started is simple. All it takes is a bit of text, a device, and the right tool to turn your written words into speech. Try it out today and experience firsthand how TTS can make learning and content creation more engaging and accessible!

Ryanair launches new flight between Budapest and stunning Spanish region near Valencia

castellón spain ryanair flight 2025

Ryanair is set to launch a new route between Budapest and Castellón, Spain, starting in March 2025. The airline will operate two weekly flights, on Wednesdays and Sundays, providing a convenient schedule for travellers heading to the beautiful Valencian region. The flights will be serviced by Ryanair Buzz’s Boeing 737 aircraft.

Starting 30 March 2025, Ryanair will operate two weekly flights between Budapest and Castellón, a charming city located near Valencia in Spain, AIRportal.hu reports. The flights will run on Wednesdays and Sundays, offering a convenient schedule for travellers planning a five-day trip.

castellón spain ryanair flight 2025
Photo: depositphotos.com

The Wednesday flights will depart Budapest early in the morning (5:55 AM), arriving in Castellón by 8:50 AM, with a return flight in the late morning (departure 9:25 AM, arrival 12:10 PM). The Sunday flights will leave Budapest in the afternoon and return in the evening.

Castellón’s airport is approximately 90 kilometres from the centre of Valencia, making it a great base for exploring the region. The Ryanair Buzz subsidiary will operate the flights with Boeing 737 aircraft. These new services will complement Wizz Air’s existing routes to Valencia, which operates four times a week.

Read also:

Hungary pledges EUR 20,000 aid and sends rescue team to support flood-stricken Spain

Hungary’s government is sending 20,000 euros of emergency aid to the victims of flood-hit regions of Spain, and will fund a Hungarian volunteer search and rescue team, a government official said on Saturday.

Tristan Azbej, the state secretary who heads the government’s Hungary Helps programme, said the government was “shaken” to learn of the disaster in Valencia, where flash floods have killed at least 200 and “the damage is very hard to estimate”. “We hope to contribute towards saving lives and mitigating the damage. Our Spanish friends can count on us,” Azbej said.

Read also:

Ryanair left Hungarian families even with small kids at Valencia airport

Ryanair left Hungarian families in Valencia

The Hungarian Parliament Speaker called the floods that hit southern and eastern parts of Spain one of the most destructive natural disasters of recent years. The floods claimed an extremely high number of lives and affected even air traffic in the region. The death toll has already passed 100. According to Blikk, Ryanair left Hungarian families without help at the Valencia airport. A mother of three waited hours at the crowded terminals but they were denied boarding. 

Moreover, the Irish low-cost airline’s plane flew back to Hungary with their clothes and left them in Valencia for two more days without proper clothing.

Mariann Szabó told Blikk that the situation was disastrous in the Valencia region. On Wednesday, when their flight was due, the taxi queue was 4 kilometres long. That is because everybody was stuck at the airport. Passengers landing there could not get out, so many of the outgoing passengers could not get to the gates.

Ryanair plane leaves without Hungarian family

The Hungarian consulate in the city wanted to help but could not solve the situation.

She and her husband got to the airport in time with their three kids but only two bag drop desks operated. Their plane took off with a delay of only 1 hour and 15 minutes but only their luggage was on board.

Mariann does not understand why their plane left with their bags. She said that after they were past the hours-long check-in procedure, they rushed to the gates because there was no information about their departure.

Ryanair new flight from Budapest jet fuel
Photo: CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED

Experts told Mariann that Ryanair probably broke air travel safety rules by transporting their luggage home but leaving them at the airport. She states there was no last call, and no one provided information.

The airport did not provide even a bottle of water

After they were left there they waited for additional hours only to learn that Ryanair believes it was their fault that they could not embark on their plane. They were outraged, so finally, Ryanair rebooked their flight on a plane departing two days later, and from another city.

They spent one night in Valencia, then rented a car and drove to Malaga. She said the clothing, food and accommodation they need will require an additional EUR 1,250.

They do not plan to start a legal procedure against the airline but demand compensation. Mariann said they begged a Spanish driver to take them back to the city. She said many stood in the queue for hours even with crying kids, which was heartbreaking to see. Furthermore, the airport did not give them even a bottle of water, she said.

Blikk asked Ryanair for comment but has not received a reply yet.

Hungarian Speaker expresses sympathy with Spain over flood victims

László Kövér, Hungary’s speaker of parliament, has sent messages of condolences to speakers of Spain’s House of Representatives and Senate expressing his sympathy over the victims of recent floods in Spain.

Hungarian Speaker László Kövér
Speaker Kövér’s address in Kolozsvár. Photo: MTI

In the messages addressed to Francina Armengol Socias and Pedro Rollan Francina Armengol, respectively, Kövér voiced his “deep shock” over the floods that hit southern and eastern parts of Spain, claiming “an extremely high number of lives”.

Kövér added he hoped that Spain could repair the damage caused by “one of the most destructive natural disasters of recent years”.

Read also:

Featured image: depositphotos.com

New flight from Budapest Airport to the idyllic Spanish Riviera

Ryanair is set to launch a new flight from Budapest, connecting the Hungarian capital with a picturesque region of the Spanish Riviera on the Mediterranean Sea. According to the plan, two flights per week will operate between Hungary and Spain, starting next summer.

New flight from Budapest Airport

Budflyer, a Hungarian travel news Facebook page, reported on the new flight from Budapest this morning. They said that Ryanair had won a marketing bid for Castellón Airport, which aimed to support the introduction of low-cost airline services.

Budapest was one of the destinations included in the bidding process. As per the plans, Ryanair will operate two weekly flights from Budapest to the Spanish airport. The first flight is scheduled to take off next summer. Previously, Wizz Air, Ryanair’s biggest competitor, operated two weekly flights on this route.

Ryanair new flight from Budapest jet fuel
Photo: CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED

Ryanair’s major announcement regarding check-in

Michael O’Leary, CEO of the Irish low-cost airline, announced yesterday that paper boarding passes will be phased out by May 2025. Additionally, Ryanair will remove check-in desks from airports entirely. Passengers will be required to check in online or via the app, potentially helping to avoid issues such as overbooking.

We previously reported HERE that 18 passengers were denied boarding on a Wizz Air flight from Nice due to overbooking. In that instance, 18 more tickets had been sold than there were seats available. An eyewitness commented that, “although overbooking does happen, they had never known more than 3–4 people to be affected.”

New flight from Budapest Ryanair
Photo: depositphotos.com

Read also:

  • Ryanair announces winter timetable: New routes and key changes from Budapest – read more HERE
  • Wizz Air may beat Ryanair in Budapest this winter – details in THIS article

Featured image: depositphotos.com

Spanish far-right party Vox conceals loan from Lőrinc Mészáros’ bank

vox budapest hungary orbán spain

The Spanish far-right party Vox has taken out a loan amounting to €9.2 million, approximately HUF 3.6 billion, from a bank affiliated with the Hungarian government.

Vox conceals its Hungarian creditor

MBH Bank, owned by Lőrinc Mészáros, a close associate of Viktor Orbán, supported Vox’s 2023 election campaigns, according to a report by El País.

In violation of Spanish party financing laws, Vox failed to disclose the source of the €9.2 million loan in its financial reports. The party borrowed the sum in two instalments last year: €2.6 million for the municipal elections and €6.5 million for the general elections.

Party leader Santiago Abascal explained that the Spanish conservative political party had not named the creditor because the institution wished to avoid being demonised for its involvement.

In mid-September, El País reported, based on sources close to the party, that the funds for Vox’s campaign could have originated from a Hungarian bank with ties to the government. Pepa Millán, the party’s spokesperson, has since confirmed that the lender was indeed a Hungarian bank, as no Spanish financial institution was willing to provide the loan. However, she denied any knowledge of MBH’s connections to Orbán.

Millán also stated that the loan has been fully repaid.

Le Pen also received a loan

In 2022, Marine Le Pen received a €10.6 million loan from MKB, another bank owned by Mészáros, for her presidential campaign. MKB has since merged into the large Magyar Bankholding group, which also lent to Vox. Like Vox, Le Pen claimed that no French banks were willing to provide financial support.

Le Pen had previously borrowed from a Russian bank in 2014, citing similar reasons to Millán for seeking foreign funding.

As we previously reported, Spain blocks Hungarian Talgo train factory deal over Orbán’s Russia ties.

Patriots for Europe (PfE) group

Vox, once a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) party, saw its MEPs among the first to join Viktor Orbán’s newly formed *Patriots for Europe* (PfE) group over the summer. Within a few weeks, PfE became the third-largest political faction in the European Parliament. Further details can be found HERE.

 

FC Barcelona forms long-term partnership with Hungarian brand BioTechUSA

fc barcelona biotechusa

FC Barcelona has entered into a multi-year partnership with BioTechUSA, a Hungarian-owned family business specialising in sports supplements. Under this agreement, the company will supply its range of nutritional products—including proteins, vitamins, and recovery supplements—to Barcelona players like Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Dani Olmo, and other top athletes at the club. This collaboration extends beyond product supply, focusing also on research, education, and knowledge transfer, suggesting deeper potential for the partnership.

A historic partnership: Barcelona and BioTechUSA

The deal was formalised before Barcelona’s La Liga match against Real Valladolid, with Juli Guiu, FC Barcelona’s Vice President of Marketing, and BioTechUSA co-owners Bálint and Balázs Lévai present, Index reports. According to Guiu, quality nutrition and well-planned supplementation play a crucial role in player performance, and Barcelona views this partnership with BioTechUSA as a guarantee of top-level support in this area.

fc barcelona biotechusa
Photo: BioTechUSA

Bálint Lévai emphasised that Barcelona carefully selects its global partners, adding that BioTechUSA’s premium-quality products and expertise exceeded the club’s expectations. The two parties share common values and philosophies, making the collaboration a natural fit from the outset.

The announcement coincided with Barcelona’s dominant 7-0 victory against Valladolid at the Olympic Stadium, as the Camp Nou undergoes renovation. Despite the ongoing construction, the partnership launch took place against the backdrop of Barcelona’s rich sporting history and future promise, symbolised by young stars like Lamine Yamal, who represent the next generation of the club’s excellence.

History of BioTechUSA

BioTechUSA, founded in Hungary over 30 years ago, has grown into one of Europe’s largest producers and distributors of dietary supplements, with a presence in 103 countries, 49 webshops, 322 franchise stores, and over 4,500 B2B partners. Even amid economic challenges, the company achieved a nearly 15% increase in revenue in 2023, reaching HUF 90.49 billion (about EUR 230 million). Their EBITDA also rose by 3.5% to EUR 10.47 billion (about EUR 26.6 million), and the company invested nearly HUF 5 billion (EUR 12.7 million) in new products and development.

The partnership with Barcelona includes collaborative research, with plans to publish an annual study on the effects of BioTechUSA’s supplements on sports performance. These reports will feature input from Barcelona’s experts and medical staff. Additionally, Barcelona’s methodology and training insights will be shared with Hungarian elite sports professionals through a series of lectures, accompanied by BioTechUSA’s specialists in sports supplementation.

FC Barcelona affirmed the importance of supplements in their athletes’ diets, stating that their medical team is currently working to select the BioTechUSA products that best meet the nutritional needs of their players. Each player will receive personalised dietary plans, particularly tailored around match days to ensure optimal performance and recovery.

In essence, this partnership is not just about supplying products but involves ongoing collaboration in the field of sports science, benefiting both FC Barcelona and BioTechUSA as they work together to push the boundaries of athletic performance.

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Spain: Paradise for Hungarian pensioners?

Spain new Canaan for Hungarian pensioners

In 2024, the average pension in Hungary was EUR 588, while the median barely reached EUR 520. However, there are significant differences. For instance, more than 24,000 pensioners receive over EUR 1,500 monthly. Additionally, the number of Hungarian pensioners relocating to Spain to enjoy the Mediterranean climate and lifestyle is increasing. Could Spain become the new Promised Land for Hungarian pensioners?

Szeretlek Magyarország reported on this new trend by sharing the experiences of Rozi Pusztai, a Hungarian pensioner who receives less than EUR 770 in retirement benefits. She says the cost of living is lower in Spain than in Hungary, and locals believe that living in the Mediterranean country could add at least five years to their lives.

She explained that they carefully considered all their options before she and her partner moved to the Valencia-Murcia region. The couple even spent an entire month there to calculate living costs. In the end, they sold everything in Hungary and bought a two-storey house in La Marina. They rent out the lower floor to tourists for extra income while living on the upper floor.

malaga spain
Malaga.

Life is cheaper in Spain

Regarding the people, she said they are always smiling, and despite the language barrier, they try to overcome difficulties through cooperation. She added that their cost of living is 10-15% cheaper than in Hungary. They buy fresh vegetables and fruit at local markets, and their expenses for taxes, car maintenance, electricity, and internet do not exceed EUR 250-300. They spend a maximum of EUR 1,000 on daily expenses, dine out once a month, and take regular trips.

Talking about their everyday life, she mentioned that they live in perfect harmony with the locals. They can see the sea from their terrace, and there is always a party, music, or dancing on the seashore. Mrs Pusztai said she does not wish to return to Hungary permanently and is able to arrange her healthcare in Spain.

ibiza spain
“Don’t come to work in Spain”, Mrs Pusztai says.

She advised that it is difficult for active workers to find jobs in Spain, so only pensioners, digital nomads, or business owners should consider moving there.

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  • Spain blocks Hungarian Talgo train factory deal over Orbán’s Russia ties – read more HERE
  • Amazing news: Spanish low-cost airline returns to Budapest!

Featured image: depositphotos.com

Spain blocks Hungarian Talgo train factory deal over Orbán’s Russia ties

talgo train spain railway company

Hungary’s Ganz-MaVag consortium made a generous offer to acquire 100% of the shares of the Spanish train manufacturer Talgo. However, from the start, the Spanish government opposed the deal, citing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s pro-Russian policies. Eventually, Spain successfully prevented the transaction, leaving Hungary reliant on outdated, 20–30-year-old Western European train carriages.

Generous offer derailed by political concerns

Months ago, Ganz-MaVag submitted an official bid for Talgo’s shares, but even before the formal offer, rumours circulated that Spain would block the purchase due to concerns over Orbán’s close ties to Russia. Spanish authorities had made it clear that such a deal was not on the table.

talgo train spain railway company
Photo: depositphotos.com

The decision-making process was drawn out. The Foreign Investment Council, part of Spain’s Ministry of Economy, delayed the anticipated July decision until 27 August, when it was finally confirmed that the sale would not go through, as reported by Portfolio.

Spain’s economic ministry issued a statement explaining that the cabinet agreed to reject the foreign direct investment from Ganz-MaVag in Talgo due to national security and public order risks identified during the investigation. Talgo holds access to sensitive information, which heightened the concerns.

National security fears lead to final rejection

Back in March, Ganz-MaVag had placed a bid of EUR 619 million for Talgo, which was valued at EUR 590 million at the time—a notably generous offer. Despite this, Spanish Prime Minister Óscar Puente strongly opposed the sale, citing Hungary’s close ties with Russia, and vowed to block the deal.

Spain followed through on this promise, consistently extending deadlines to give other potential buyers time to make offers. Companies such as Switzerland’s Stadler Rail and the Czech Republic’s Škoda were considered. Meanwhile, the Spanish government also repeatedly requested additional documents from the Hungarian consortium, further stalling the process.

Hungary’s railway situation remains precarious. According to János Lázár, Hungary’s Minister of Transport and Construction, acquiring Talgo would have provided valuable knowledge for producing new, domestically-made train carriages. Instead, Hungary now faces a 4-year wait for new carriages and, as an interim solution, plans to purchase decommissioned 20–30-year-old Western European train cars.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Hungarian real estate firm with government ties acquires Spanish shopping centre for EUR 50 million

espacio león shopping centre spain

Budapest-based Indotek Group, a prominent European real estate investor and asset manager, has purchased the Espacio León shopping centre in Spain for nearly EUR 50 million. The property was previously owned by the American investment firm Blackstone Inc., according to a statement released by Indotek.

Government-close Indotek Group acquires Spanish shopping centre

espacio león shopping mall spain
The Espacio León shopping centre in Spain, acquired by the Indotek Group. Photo: espacioleon.es

The acquisition, located in the Castilla y León region of Spain, was financed by Banco Santander. Espacio León, originally opened in 2004 and refurbished in 2018, attracts approximately 4.1 million visitors annually, Telex reports. The shopping centre boasts 112 retail units, 1,277 parking spaces, and a leasable area of 36,914 square metres, currently operating at 93% occupancy.

Indotek Group, which already owns a portfolio of 1,600 hotel rooms on Spain’s coast, has been expanding its presence in the Iberian Peninsula. In addition to shopping centres, the group’s interests in the region include retail parks, supermarkets, and industrial properties. Last year, the company also acquired two shopping centres in Valencia and Barcelona.

With operations across 13 European countries, Indotek Group is owned by Dániel Jellinek, a businessman whose ventures have benefited from government-backed investments. In recent years, some of Jellinek’s interests have financially benefited István Tiborcz, the son-in-law of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, through preferential shares.

Jellinek’s notable success from government-backed investments

dániel jellinek indotek group
Dániel Jellinek, owner of Indotek Group. Photo: Indotek.hu

In 2023, Indotek acquired a 47% stake in the Hungarian operations of the French retailer Auchan, as well as 100% of the so-called “corridor” business, which manages the commercial spaces located outside supermarket checkout areas, including pharmacies, key-cutting services, and various other shops.

Jellinek’s companies have also had notable success in securing government support for projects, such as the Kisfaludy programme, which funds regional hotel development. Investigative reports by Válasz Online revealed that Jellinek’s interests were among the key beneficiaries of a state-funded capital programme managed by the Hungarian Development Bank (MFB), which allocated substantial resources to his ventures.

Jellinek is one of Hungary’s wealthiest individuals, with his business empire transferring approximately HUF 27 billion (about EUR 70 million) to István Tiborcz’s business circle between 2019 and 2022. This period also saw a similar amount mysteriously appear in Tiborcz’s most significant company, though the origin of these funds remains undisclosed, with Tiborcz refusing to provide an explanation when questioned.

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Wizz Air adds 4 new destinations from Budapest! – UPDATED

Wizz Air plane Ukraine All You Can Fly

The Hungarian budget airline Wizz Air added four new destinations from the Hungarian capital to their winter schedule.

According to airportal.hu, Wizz Air will launch new flights to Girona in Spain, Genoa in Italy, Marrakesh in Morocco and Memmingen in Germany this October and December.

4 new Wizz Air flights

The first Girona flight will take off on 28 October and will carry passengers thrice a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). The planes will commute to Genoa on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 29 October. The first plane to Marrakesh will leave Budapest on 29 October, and Wizz will operate two flights a week (Tuesdays, and Saturdays) to the Moroccan city.

Memmingem is close to Munich, and the first flight to the city will depart on 17 December to carry passengers four times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday).

All four flights are bookable until the end of the winter schedule, so it is a question whether they would remain or not in the long run.

UPDATE: Wizz Air increases number of flights to other directions

Meanwhile, Wizz Air will also increase the number of flights between Budapest and Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Milan, Berlin, Madrid, Athens and Glasgow, the company said.

The expansion will increase Wizz Air’s market share to 41 percent in Hungary, and increase its Budapest-based fleet to 17 aircraft, the statement said.

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Patriots for Europe: Strong far-right party joins Orbán’s new European group

PM Orbán new European party Patriots for Europe fidesz

PM Viktor Orbán founded a new European political group called Patriots for Europe, which will “change European politics”, according to the PM. Now, a new party is joining the group.

New member in Orbán’s political group

PM Orbán new European party Patriots for Europe
Source: FB/PM Orbán

Viktor Orbán announced on X (Twitter) that the Spanish VOX party is also joining the Patriots for Europe group, which was announced by Fidesz, the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) and the Czech ANO over the weekend.

The eurosceptic Spain VOX party won 6 seats in the June elections. This further increased their chances of forming an independent group in the European Parliament, which requires 23 MEPs from 7 countries, 444.hu reports.

The far-right VOX will leave the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group and join the Patriots for Europe group, hvg.hu reports, according to a statement by the party’s president, Santiago Abascal.

Patriots for Europe: the group

The members of the Patriots for Europe group are so far the following:

  • Fidesz (Hungary, founding member)
  • Austrian Freedom Party (Austria, founding member)
  • ANO (Czech Republic, founding member)
  • Chega (Portugal, indicated to join)
  • VOX (Spain, indicated to join)

Although Poland’s Law and Justice and Germany’s AfD do not seem to be joining, there is a chance that Marine Le Pen’s National Rally could still join after the French elections, 444.hu writes.

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