Budapest Airport supports Earth Hour.

Monday 25th March 2013

Budapest, 25 March 2013. In support of the global environmental initiative 'Earth Hour', Budapest Airport closed one of its runways, switched off the related lights and reduced energy consumption in passenger circulation areas and in the nearly 300 buildings located at the airport for an hour at 8:30 p.m. on 23rd March.

Following previous international praise, the airport operator switched off all airfield ground lighting fixtures (1622 lights in total) for one of its two runways, including all approach, edge and centerline lights, as well as the special lighting fixtures in the touchdown zone, which have a total output of more than 240 000 Watts, and are so bright that they can normally be seen from a distance of 20 kilometers (12.5 miles). This did not jeopardize aviation safety in any way, as the other runway continued to operate normally, and the lights could be switched back on at any time, if required.

The runway blackout was the most spectacular, but not by far the only element of Budapest Airport's participation in the event on 23 March. Lighting also operated in reduced mode in and around the nearly 300 buildings located within the 1515 hectare area of the airport. Lights were switched off completely between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. The airport's participation in the Earth Hour initiative was perceptible for passengers as well, since lighting in the terminal buildings and car parks was reduced and advertising billboard lighting was cut completely.

Budapest Airport has made numerous efforts to support an environmentally conscious operation. In 2007, the airport operator launched its energy rationalization program to enhance the sustainable development of the airport -- and has continued to develop it year on year. Last year, efficient energy usage resulted in natural gas consumption decreasing by 850 000 cubic meters, which is equivalent to approximately the total airport's consumption during a month in the autumn, or the annual energy need and the related carbon dioxide emissions of 280 family homes.

The bankruptcy of the Hungarian national carrier Malév on 3 February 2012 resulted in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions in itself. Quite apart from this event, emissions figures have been improving consistently for several years at Budapest as a result of the airport operator's consistent environmental efforts. An improvement of nearly 8 percent was recorded in 2011, which was an all-time record year in terms of passenger traffic at Budapest.

Budapest Airport's environmental protection initiatives were recognized by the European arm of the umbrella organization for international airports, ACI Europe (Airports Council International Europe), which awarded international carbon accreditation to the operator. Carbon accreditation is an international certification system worked out specifically for airports and established in order to achieve a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by the sector. Based on methodology applied since 2010, natural gas and electricity consumption as well as fuel consumption of the vehicles operated by Budapest Airport also counts towards the total value.

About Budapest Airport Ltd.

Budapest Airport Ltd., the operator of Ferenc Liszt International Airport, is owned by a consortium of German (KfW IPEX-Bank 4%), Canadian (Caisse de depôt et placement de Québec 18.167%), American (Aero Investment 10%) and Singaporean (Malton Investments Pte Ltd. 18.167%) investors led by HOCHTIEF AirPort GmbH (49.666%). Currently, the airport is home to 36 airlines, which transported 8.5 million passengers to more than 92 destinations in 40 countries in 2012.