BUD Cargo City, the new air cargo handling facility handed over recently may bring a regional leading role in the industry for Budapest Airport and the Hungarian economy. The logistics complex comprises a 21,200 m² warehouse and office facility as well as an 11,650 m² forwarder building, to be occupied by tenants from January 2020. The logistics base also features an adjacent concrete apron of 32,000 m² to accommodate loading and unloading procedures for two Boeing 747-8F aircraft at the same time.
At the opening ceremony, Levente Magyar deputy minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade underlined, “This investment fits into the program of the Hungarian government intended to strengthen the logistic sector, besides rail and road developments and the Trieste port project.”
Budapest Airport handled 146,113 tonnes of air cargo last year, and the volume of cargo distributed via the Hungarian capital has continued to be stable this year as well. The new facility reinforces this stability and provides a sound basis for additional growth: once it is commissioned, the total cargo handling capacity of the airport will be increased to 250,000 tonnes per annum.
The facility is already home to 35 tenants in total, including forwarders, cargo airlines, security service providers, and the customs authority. “Liszt Ferenc International Airport is one of the major strategic facilities of the country, one of the largest employers in the region, and the most attractive workplace,” said Rolf Schnitzler, CEO of Budapest Airport.
“Thanks to BUD Cargo City and our capabilities to invest even further, we now have a chance of Budapest Airport and thus Hungary to become one of the prime logistic hubs for Central and Eastern Europe,” emphasised Gerhard Schroeder, managing director of AviAlliance.
In the last five years Budapest Airport has achieved a leading position as the fastest growing airport in this region. Also cargo business is developing well. In 2018 a volume of 146,113 tonnes was handled. This is an increase of 15.9 per cent on 2017.
