Budapest Airport Sets Remarkable Record in 2023
In 2023, Ferenc Liszt International Airport of Budapest achieved an impressive milestone, welcoming 14.7 million travellers, marking a 91 per cent recovery from 2019, the pre-pandemic year. This welcoming influx of travelers is a promising sign of recovery for the aviation industry.
The two most visited destinations from Budapest Airport in 2023 were London and Istanbul, indicating a strong demand for both business and leisure travel. The airport also saw a 30 per cent increase in the number of non-Schengen passengers and a 15 per cent increase in Schengen passengers.
Despite several challenges, Budapest Airport declared 2023 a successful year. It surpassed one million passengers every month since March, making a total of 14,701,080 passengers by the year’s end. This marked a significant step towards the full recovery of passenger traffic to the record levels before the pandemic.
Furthermore, the airport offered 131 direct flights operated by 39 airlines in 2023, including four destinations in China: Beijing, Shanghai, Ningbo, and Chongqing. This expansion contributed to an increase in business travel, while leisure travelers continued to constitute a substantial portion of overall traffic.
In addition to the increase in passenger traffic, Budapest Airport excelled in cargo transport as well, moving 201,306 tonnes, which was 3.8 per cent more than in 2022 and an impressive 48.5 per cent increase from 2019 levels.
This outstanding performance did not go unnoticed, as Budapest Airport was awarded the Best Airport in Europe by the Airports Council International (ACI). The airport also won the title of “Best Airport in Eastern Europe” for the tenth time and received four stars for quality from the industry.
Passenger satisfaction scores at Budapest Airport remained consistently high, with overall satisfaction scores consistently above 4 out of 5. The airport also saw significant improvements in passenger services compared to 2019, earning it the highest increase in overall satisfaction among the 20 surveyed airports.
In terms of amenities and cleanliness, passengers rated Budapest Airport highly. It was ranked the best regarding restroom cleanliness, Wi-Fi service quality, and entertainment facilities, securing a fifth-place ranking overall among the 20 airports surveyed.
Over the past four years, Budapest Airport has invested approximately €260 million (100 billion HUF) in various developmental initiatives. This sustained investment has contributed to the airport’s growth and success.
In January 2022, Budapest Airport observed a significant increase in passenger traffic, recording a 750 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2021, reaching 562,635 passengers. This jump in passenger numbers further underscores the airport’s role as a key transportation hub in the region.
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