Summary:
- Budapest Airport breaks ground on €1 billion terminal expansion, supported by VINCI Airports, boosting long-term capacity by 10+ million passengers.
- 35,000sqm main terminal to feature centralised check-in, optimised security, integrated commercial zones and advanced screening technologies.
- Airside expansion, multimodal rail connectivity and Terminal 2 upgrades strengthen operational efficiency and passenger experience transformation.
Budapest Airport – part of the network of VINCI Airports (a Corporate Partner of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub) – has laid the foundation stone of its new terminal, officially marking the beginning of ambitious expansion and modernisation works. The ceremony was attended by Viktor Orbán, Hungarian Prime Minister; Márton Nagy, Minister for National Economy; Nicolas Notebaert, President of VINCI Concessions and VINCI Airports; and François Berisot, CEO of Budapest Airport.
“Today’s laying of the foundation stone is a very important moment for Budapest Airport, but also for Hungary’s aviation industry and economy,” said Notebaert. “The heightened interest in Hungary and Budapest among foreign visitors, the upward trend in Hungarians’ propensity to travel and the record traffic recorded at the airport last year confirm our ambition: we are determined to deliver a modern, world-class aerial gateway for Hungary, prepared to meet the needs of travellers in the years to come.”
This large-scale project aims to meet the growing demands of air traffic and deliver world-class facilities tailored to the future needs of travellers. The development programme, supported by a total investment of €1 billion over the next 10 years, ranks among the most significant airport investment projects in Central Europe during the coming decade. The programme includes:
- A new main terminal spanning 35,000sqm, featuring centralised check-in facilities, optimised security screening areas, and integrated commercial spaces to create a seamless and enhanced passenger experience.
- A new 19,000sqm passenger pier along with the expansion of aircraft apron areas over 132,000sqm, which will include 13 new aircraft stands and a dedicated de-icing area.
- Refurbishment of car parks, improvements to external and internal roads, and curbside upgrades to match the new centralised building.
In September, the Hungarian Government also announced significant developments to infrastructure connecting to the airport, including construction of a direct rail link, as well as refurbishment of the express road leading to the airport and its expansion to multiple lanes.
In parallel, targeted improvements to Terminal 2 have already begun to ensure a smooth transition until the new facilities are delivered. These include reconfiguring the passenger check-in hall to expand space and add counters, upgrading security lanes for faster screening, and implementing advanced screening systems. Automatic gates have been reoriented, and a dedicated lane for passengers with reduced mobility, families, and Fast Track Lane users is being created. In addition, the area of Pier B will be expanded, providing even greater capacity for handling passengers arriving from non-Schengen areas.
With an incremental capacity increase of more than 10 million passengers, the modernised airport will cement its international role.
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