Budapest Airport: 60% of Malev point-to-point traffic has been recovered by other airlines

Hungary's Budapest Airport stated (09-Feb-2012) it continues to receive offers from airlines wishing to operate services to/from Budapest since the collapse of Malév on 03-Feb-2012. A series of airlines have already announced new services, including Lufthansa, Air Berlin, Aegean, Ryanair, Smart Wings and Wizz Air. This is in addition to the existing airlines efforts, many of which have increased capacities on their routes into Budapest. The airport noted five days after the carrier ceased operations, more than 60% of the Malév point-to-point traffic has been recovered with the new capacities announced. Most of these services will become effective over the next few weeks, with CEO Jost Lammers commenting: "Whilst the earlier assumptions of a complete loss of transfer traffic have been validated, the announcements made by the airline community since last Friday have put us on the road to recovery". Aviation director Kam Jandu added: "The announcements made in the last few days confirm our long held view that Budapest is indeed a primary destination for many airlines as they bid to grow their presence here in the absence of Malév. In spite of this early success, a gap remains in our business plan and we welcome discussions with airlines interested in services to Budapest Airport". [more - original PR] [more - CAPA Analysis]

Budapest Airport: "Even though the above mentioned encouraging developments show signs of recovery of point-topoint traffic the complete loss of 1,5 million annual transfer passengers and income generated by them creates an extremely difficult financial situation for the airport. In order to be able to cope with this dramatic situation Budapest Airport calls the Ministry Of National Development and the relevant authorities to take urgent and coordinated joint steps together with the airport." Source: Company statement, 09-Feb-2012.