Routes Europe flying high in Budapest Budapest Airport launches marketing initiative to encourage thin routes.

Monday 13th May 2013

Budapest, 13 May 2013. The biggest European route development event Routes Europe 2013 is under way with a record of nearly 1,100 participants attending the SYMA Event and Conference Center venue in Budapest this week.

The event is an excellent opportunity for the hosts, Budapest Airport and Hungarian Tourism Plc., to showcase the tourist attractions and advantages of the Hungarian capital and the country, confirmed David Stroud, Executive Vice President of Routes, opening the press conference this morning.  "We are delighted with this record attendance - nearly 1,100 delegates, including 400 decision-makers from 130 airlines have gathered for the event in Budapest.  Collectively, they will participate in some 4,000 meetings," he said.

Although the European economy continues to experience difficulties, this conference is proof that decision-makers in the aviation industry are as keen as ever to seek new market opportunities in order to increase passenger traffic."

The CEO of host organization, Budapest Airport, told Hungarian and international media that according to independent market analysts, growth in the Hungarian economy could exceed the EU average from 2015 onwards, which could also lead to dynamic development in the aviation industry. "The market experienced significant shocks last year, he said, (not least the collapse of Hungarian flag carrier Malev) but 2012 ended on a positive note as Budapest Airport registered more than 8.5 million passengers, and traffic decreased by a mere 4.7%," said Jost Lammers.  "All this happened at a time when we lost Malev, the Hungarian national carrier, who held a 37% market share.  We moved very quickly to overcome this and while it is sad that Malev is history, we have a future here and we are intent to convince airlines to tap into the unexploited business opportunities which exist in the Hungarian market."

Attractive incentive to encourage thin routes launched at Routes:

Budapest Airport Aviation Director Kam Jandu announced an innovative marketing incentive at Routes, where the airport is scheduled to meet with 45 airlines over two days.  Subject to the necessary approval from the Hungarian Civil Aviation Authority, the incentive will apply to all new flights on thin routes and could be in place from 1 June.  "We will be offering a 50% discount to airlines on smaller routes which have been 'white spots' or under-served routes on Budapest Airport's route network and where two, three or four flights a week would be sufficient," Kam Jandu explained.  "So far, airlines have had to bear the business risk of such flights on their own.   With this new incentive, we would like to share the risk between the carrier and the airport." he added.

Budapest Airport and the Hungarian Tourism Plc. are organizing a large reception for the guests of the Routes Europe conference tonight at the Terminal 1 building, recently converted into an exclusive event venue.

Budapest Airport Plc., 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%).  Budapest Airport is currently home to 35 airlines, serving 81 destinations.

www.bud.hu/english