Barely three years after being awarded the management of Budapest airport, VINCI Airports is moving into action. The foundation stone for the new terminal was recently laid, paving the way for an ambitious future for the Hungarian hub.
" The laying of the foundation stone is a very important moment for Budapest airport, but also for the aviation industry and the Hungarian economy. "said Nicolas Notebaert, Chairman of VINCI Airports. " The growing interest of foreign visitors in Hungary and Budapest, the upward trend in Hungarian travel and the record traffic recorded at the airport last year confirm our ambition: we are determined to provide Hungary with a modern, world-class airport hub capable of meeting the needs of travellers in the years to come. "adds Nicolas Notebaert.
One billion euros over ten years
The investment amounts to €1 billion over the next ten years. The Vinci Group considers the project to be "one of the most important airport investment projects in Central Europe over the next decade".
The project, which was launched at the end of February, will involve a brand new 35,000 m² main terminal, a new 19,000 m² passenger pier and a 132,000 m² extension to the aircraft parking areas, which will include 13 new stands and a dedicated de-icing area.
Terminal 2 will also benefit from this investment. Vinci plans to reconfigure the check-in hall by enlarging the space and adding check-in desks. The passenger flow should be greatly improved, in particular by optimising the queues dedicated to security checks. In addition, the Pier B area will be enlarged to accommodate more passengers from countries outside the Schengen area.
Last year, Budapest airport handled almost 20 million passengers - a figure that has grown by 35 % since VINCI Airports took over in 2023. And if the forecasts made by those in charge of the project prove accurate, the new terminal could generate an increase of 10 million passengers.
