The extension of BUD Cargo City’s apron has been completed and handed over in a special ceremony at Budapest Airport (BUD).
Having already handled 107,000 tons by the end of July, the airport is on course to record an all-time high in cargo volume this year. Due to this increase – which is currently up 9% on the same period (May to July) last year – and to efficiently handle larger capacity aircraft, the Hungarian gateway initiated an approximately €10m investment to double the dedicated BUD Cargo City apron. The transformation enables the airport to handle up to four Code F (B747F) aircraft with nose loading options, simultaneously.
“Since the opening of BUD Cargo City in 2020, each year Budapest Airport has handled record cargo volumes, and the year-to-date cargo volume to the end of July 2023 was 40% more than during the same period in 2019, signalling a significant growth potential for our partners and the Hungarian economy as a whole,” said René Droese, chief development officer and deputy CEO for Budapest Airport. “Completing the apron extension is the next important milestone in our overall cargo expansion plan, which will increase the airport’s annual cargo capacity to 300,000 tons per year by the end of 2023.”
Budapest Airport has focused on developing its cargo infrastructure over the last few years. From the outset, the BUD Cargo City has been a catalyst, enabling the airport to provide a world-class cargo handling environment with efficient facilities, and further developments are in progress. Following the completion of the apron expansion, the next steps include an additional 6,500m² handling warehouse extension, with offices and other supporting infrastructure.
Preparations for the second phase of the BUD Cargo City logistics complex are already under way
During the opening ceremony, Qatar Airways Cargo was the first guest, with a special livery B777F aircraft arriving on the new apron. Robertino Veltman, VP Europe, Qatar Airways Cargo, said: “I would like to congratulate Budapest Airport on the inauguration of the two new freighter stands. Our partnership with Budapest Airport dates all the way back to 2012 when we introduced our first freighter flight. “Currently, operating three Boeing 777 freighters and seven belly-hold flights each week, we are glad to support the Hungarian businesses with dedicated cargo capacity. The state-of-the-art facilities at Budapest Airport allow us to handle pharmaceuticals, perishables, valuables, and other types of cargo. We are thankful to Budapest Airport for its support over the years.”
Droese added: “As a long-term project, preparations for the second phase of the BUD Cargo City logistics complex are already under way. We are seeing several cargo projects on the market and high interest for the cargo service options provided at Budapest Airport. Consequently, we need to ensure our infrastructure is in line with demand.”
Image: Budapest Airport
