Budapest Airport is on target to officially open its new SkyCourt on March 18th, which will link up terminals 2A and 2B.

The building will almost double the capacity of the terminal and aims to enhance the passenger experience by adding new passenger security screening channels, new boarding gates, check-in counters and self-check-in kiosks and multiple retail outlets. The structure is built over five stories.

SkyCourt represents an investment of €70 million and is part of a €261 million, five-year expansion plan ‘BUD Future’, which aims to position the airport as a key Eastern European hub.

BUD Future is co-financed by the EU and the airport’s owner, Budapest Airport Zrt, a public-private partnership with the Hungarian state holding 25% and the remaining 75% owned by German company Hochtief AirPort and four financial investors. BUD Future also includes the construction of a “cargo city” comprising 140,000 sq. m. of cargo and logistics terminals designed for airlines, handlers and integrators.

The airport incorporates two terminals; T1 is a dedicated LCC terminal and T2 services traditional carriers. BUD is the base for Malev Hungarian Airlines and is home to a further 32 carriers serving more than 92 destinations in 40 countries worldwide. It handled almost 8.2 million passengers through scheduled, charter and general aviation services in 2010, up 1.2% over 2009.
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