Budapest Airport courts long haul partners at World Routes 2012

Wednesday 12th September 2012

The Budapest Airport marketing and route development team, led by Aviation Director Kam Jandu, is participating at the 18th World Route Development Forum being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 29 September to 02 October 2012.

This year the Hungarian team is keen to meet airlines who have not considered Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) before and will be highlighting the considerable market potential the region offers.

Budapest Airport was last year's overall winner of the Routes Airport Marketing Award - European region, beating many larger airports and is again nominated in the same category.

As hosts of Routes Europe 2013, Budapest will be very visible at the World Routes Forum with a large exhibition stand (#N24) where the airport will hold meetings with potential airline partners.

"The World Routes Forum provides terrific opportunities for us to meet with the airline community as we look to expand our network and attract more long haul routes," said Kam Jandu. "The latest Sabre® Airport Data Intelligence clearly demonstrates that Budapest is the largest unserved European market from New York JFK, with more direct passenger demand last year than Munich, Dusseldorf, Stockholm, Warsaw and Prague, to name just a few. Yet airlines operate up to 30 frequencies per month to those markets.

Similarly, Budapest is the largest unserved market from Toronto with even more direct passenger demand than other European airports including Munich, Vienna, Madrid and Copenhagen but once again several airlines offer frequencies from those airports and compete for fewer overall passengers.

"In addition, Budapest offers sizeable unserved market demand from the Asian markets of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Bangkok and we would welcome the opportunity to demonstrate our potential to airlines operating long haul out of these cities. The possibilities offered by Budapest, together with our award-winning marketing capabilities make Budapest a must-see airport for any airline seeking to enhance its route portfolio. Any airline interested to learn more is warmly invited to visit us on our stand or ask for a meeting with us as there clearly are some win/win opportunities."

Budapest Airport continues to support new airlines with attractive incentive schemes, market research from a dedicated route development department, promotions on its website (www.bud.hu) and reduced or complimentary advertising at the airport.

Budapest Airport has been a participant at the Routes events (the World Route Development Forum and Routes Europe) for more than a decade. The airport, the Hungarian National Tourist Office (together with the Hungarian Convention Bureau) and Budapest Tourism will host next year's Routes Europe, working together to give delegates an occasion to remember. The event will be staged at the SYMA Sport and Event Center in Budapest city during 12-14 May 2013.

Budapest city is a vibrant year-round, destination boasting a highly developed infrastructure which, combined with the city's ease of access (within two hours' flying time to almost all major European destinations) and its genuine hospitality, ensures visitors of a very warm welcome.

• About Budapest Airport:

Budapest Airport Zrt. operates Budapest Airport. This is privately owned with German company HOCHTIEF AirPort, one of the world's biggest independent airport managers holding a 49.67% stake, together with a further four financial investors: Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Montreal holding a 18.17% stake; Malton Investment Pte Ltd. holding a 18.17% stake; Aero Investment S.á.r.l. holding a 10% stake and KfW IPEX-Bank, Frankfurt holding a 4% stake.

Budapest Airport aims to be best airport in the Central and Eastern European region and have been recognised for their development projects, customer services approach and marketing activities.

www.bud.hu