“He who journeys, has stories to tell” is a classic quote often heard. Jozsef Kossuth, Director Cargo, Budapest Airport, provides the latest proof that this sentence applies from beginning to end. He recently visited China, where the executives met with leading airline managers and spoke to airport decision-makers. A worthwhile trip, as the outcome of the journey clearly evidences.

BUD – PVG
The number of Chinese cargo and passenger airlines serving Budapest is constantly growing. Thanks to China Cargo Airlines, China Southern, and Shanghai Airlines, there are three new airlines flying to BUD for the first time or increasing existing frequencies. China Cargo Airlines, a subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines, launched its first dedicated cargo flight from Shanghai Pudong (PVG) to Budapest (BUD) just a few days ago. The sector will be served by B777 freighters every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 30JUL24 onwards. “This connection marks a significant milestone in our intercontinental cargo network development, further cementing trade relations between Chinese and Hungarian enterprises,” commented Mr. Kossuth following a meeting with the freight carrier’s management.

BUD – CAN
In 1,200 km distant Guangzhou, China Southern Airlines started passenger services to the Hungarian capital city four weeks ago, operating a Boeing B787-9 jetliner that offers cargo clients ample space in the aircraft’s lower deck compartments. On the occasion, Han Wensheng, President of China Southern Air Holding Co, pointed out that the route is the first direct flight linking the heavily industrialized and populated Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with Hungary, and will strengthen ties between China and the European Union. The services will be offered four times a week — on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with intra-European commuting options for travelers.
Guangdong Province generates 10% of China’s GDP, so the connection is also of key importance for the Hungarian economy, emphasized François Berisot, CEO of Budapest Airport. It is the world’s largest R&D hub for information technology and renewable energy. The metropolis of more than 15 million inhabitants is home to major investors in Hungary, such as BYD, Huawei, ZTE, Sunwoda, and Eve Energy. The flights will further strengthen BUD’s position as leading cargo hub in Central and Eastern Europe, and become a door-opener for export and import flows, benefitting both SMEs and multinational companies, the executive stated.

BUD – XIY
Alongside the Shanghai and Guangzhou flights, Budapest Airport welcomes a direct route to Xi’an, operated by Shanghai Airlines – China Eastern. The route will be operated on Saturdays with B787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Just back from China, there was more positive news for Kossuth, Berisot, and their cargo team. Gökçe Çuhadar, Regional Cargo Operations Manager Turkish Airlines Cargo, announced that in addition to the existing 5 freighter flights between BUD and IST, an A321F will be deployed, which will increase the capacity offered to the market by around 28 tons. Cargolux said its B747F services would be upped from twice to thrice weekly.
In a nutshell: the second quarter of 2024 is likely to have been one of the best in the history of Budapest Airport. CEO Berisot could hardly have wished for a more successful beginning of his term as helmsman of Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport.