Budapest airport has been forced to temporarily close its Terminal 1, blaming the collapse of flag carrier Malev, and “additional tax burdens”.
The airport said it would move all operations at Terminal 1 across to Terminal 2 overnight on May 29/30.
It means that passengers flying with Easyjet, Germanwings, Jet2, Norwegian and Wizz Air should note that their flights will now arrive into and depart from Terminal 2.
In a statement the airport said:
“The loss of traffic in the wake of the collapse of the Hungarian national carrier Malév and additional tax burdens leave Budapest Airport no other choice but to reduce operational costs by combining operational areas, and make the best use of the infrastructure at the more modern Terminal 2.
“Negotiations are underway with Hungarian state railway company (MÁV) and the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) to offer seamless transport connections between the railway station at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
“During the first two weeks, Budapest Airport’s ground transport partners, F?taxi and Airport Shuttle Minibus, will offer special services between the two terminals. Passengers will find further information on Budapest Airport’s website in the coming weeks.”
National carrier and former Oneworld member Malev went into bankruptcy earlier this year (see online news February 3). It is estimated that the airline accounted for over a third of traffic at the airport prior to its collapse, and around 40 per cent of revenues.
For more information visit bud.hu.
Report by Mark Caswell
