Will Budapest Airport be moved from Ferihegy?

All the details about why people have been complaining so much about Budapest Airport, and what could possibly happen in the future are here. Will they move low-cost airlines from Budapest? Will traffic be banned at night? 

There have been rumours about moving low-cost airlines from Budapest to another location due to the constant noise complaints of locals. 24.hu tried to find out how reasonable that would be, or even if it is possible at all.

[button link=”https://dailynewshungary.com/low-cost-airlines-and-air-freighters-to-be-moved-from-ferihegy-to-kecskemet/” type=”big” color=”green” newwindow=”yes”] Low-cost airlines and air freighters to be moved from Ferihegy to Kecsemét?[/button]

Noise pollution

Daily News Hungary also reported that a ban was proposed recently on the night air traffic at Budapest Airport because locals are constantly complaining about the noise. Their complaint is not irrational, as the period between midnight and 5 a.m. is usually when people are in their deep sleep phase, and the noise of the planes is very damaging to this very sensitive period in the sleep cycle which can be very harmful to our health.

For all of these reasons, the mayor of Budapest, István Tarlós, proposed a complete ban on flights from midnight and 5 a.m. and he would even extend this period to 6 a.m. Read about the details below:

[button link=”https://dailynewshungary.com/city-council-hungarocontrol-propose-ban-on-night-air-traffic-at-budapest-airport/” type=”big” color=”green” newwindow=”yes”] City Council, Hungarocontrol propose ban on night air traffic at Budapest Airport[/button]

However, a ban on flights is very uncommon at international airports. It would be impossible to carry it out because the airport needs to be prepared for emergencies at all times, such as an emergency landing or organ transports, when human lives are at stake. It is not possible to shut down an entire airport for the night. However, experts do admit that something needs to be done about noise pollution.

Budapest Airport is aware of the noise problem, and it is willing to do something about it. The airport even offered to pay for the necessary constructions (e.g. insulation, installation of venting system, etc.) in 2010. The airport also claims to comply with all the rules and regulations. According to the regulations, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., a maximum of 50 flights are allowed (including takeoffs and landings, scheduled and non-scheduled flights).

Half of Budapest Airport’s traffic is provided by low-cost airlines like Wizz Air and Ryanair. These airlines aim to minimise all costs. Thus, the planes take as many turns a day as possible between certain destinations (3-4 a day). Many flights leave at night due to technical reasons: planes need to take off before sunrise because the plane would need twice as long a take-off run in warmer air.