Budapest Airport Awards its Partners

Budapest Airport, the operator of the Hungarian capital's Ferenc Liszt International Airport, presented its partner awards at a grandiose gala event similar to previous years. At the event organized in Terminal 1, the airport operator honored, among others, its most outstanding commercial, airline, environmental, cargo and media partners, who made a significant contribution to Ferenc Liszt International Airport being named the best airport in the region for the eighth time and becoming the airport with the best passenger services in East-Central Europe.

The event was not held in 2021 due to the restrictions introduced on account of the coronavirus pandemic, so Budapest Airport has now awarded the prizes based on two years’ performance, not just one.

The airport operator’s report points out that 2020 and 2021 were all about quality, development and sustainability at Ferenc Liszt International Airport. During this period, the airport operator has spent more than EUR 200 million, i.e. more than HUF 70 billion on the development of the airport. During these 24 months, capacity expansion, infrastructure and sustainability developments, as well as other digital and background improvements to enhance the passenger experience were implemented at the airport. The results of these investments are clearly reflected in passenger feedback, with Budapest Airport scoring the highest amongst its regional peers in the international passenger satisfaction survey in the last quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022.

In addition, Budapest Airport has made huge strides in 2020 and 2021 to maintain its carbon neutral operation and to achieve its sustainability targets. Last year, the company further reduced its direct carbon dioxide emissions, to half the level of ten years ago, while emissions per passenger were only one-third of 2011 levels. In 2021, Budapest Airport set itself the primary goal of achieving net zero emissions 15 years earlier than previously committed, by 2035 at the latest, along its recently completed net zero carbon roadmap.

At the same time, Budapest Airport is the largest employer in the region, contributing to the livelihoods of more than 50,000 households, through its 250 partner companies. In 2022, Budapest Airport has again earned the Investors in People Gold accreditation, which is awarded only to the most outstanding employers worldwide.

In his gala speech, Chris Dinsdale, the CEO of Budapest Airport Plc. emphasized that the key to the airport’s success is close, efficient and quality-based cooperation with its partner companies. “Quality and a great passenger experience are essential for us. Our task is not just to get our passengers from the airport entrance to the door of the aircraft in a safe and secure manner, but, importantly, the question is also what their experience has been until they board the aircraft. The travel experience starts long before a passenger arrives at the airport, and all of our partner companies have a great role to play in the experiences, memories and impressions that our passengers have while they are travelling or using our services.”

He added that the coming years will be all about quality, growth and capacity, as well as sustainability at the airport. However, this quartet must be in balance with each other to fulfil Budapest Airport’s objectives and vision for the future. “Growth and further quality improvements are not possible without capacity development, which in turn must be consistent with our long-term sustainability ambitions.”