Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport

After Malev's grounding, Hungary could become large LCC market with Wizz Air and Ryanair moving in

Low-cost carriers, in particular Wizz Air and Ryanair, stand to benefit the most from the 03-Feb-2012 suspension of services at Hungarian flag carrier Malev. Budapest-based Wizz Air was already the second largest carrier in the Hungarian market and has now become the country’s largest carrier. Ryanair, which only late last month unveiled plans to resume service to Budapest, will become within a few months the second largest carrier in Hungary in the post-Malev era.

Lufthansa, as the largest remaining legacy carrier in the Hungarian market, is also poised to benefit from Malev’s grounding. Malev had accounted for a 47% share of capacity (seats) in its home market. Most of this share will be absorbed by LCCs although total traffic at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport, which is owned by a private consortium led by Germany’s Hochtief, will likely decrease as its status as a transit hub is lost. Malev had been pushing to raise Budapest’s profile as an international hub, focusing on east-west connections. Malev's collapse saw oneworld overnight drop from the leading alliance in Hungary to the third largest after Star Alliance and SkyTeam.

Hungary’s Malev closes in on profitability

Hungarian Government-owned flag carrier Malev has seen a significant improvement in its financial situation over the last several months as it looks to a potential re-privatisation in 2012.

Restructuring work began at Malev in Feb-2010, when the Government renationalised the highly unprofitable carrier, and as reported in June was approaching conclusion, with aims be back in the black in 2012. Malev chief commercial officer Otto Gergye told CAPA last week that Malev’s financial performance has improved significantly over the last three months and “we’re definitely on the right track”.

Middle Eastern LCCs driving growth into Eastern Europe, Russia and CIS

Russia, the CIS nations and Central and Eastern Europe have been receiving a great deal of attention from Middle East-based carriers in recent months. Full service and low-cost carriers have announced or added a flurry of routes into Eastern European destinations over the past few weeks. Airlines in the Middle East are looking to tap into the underserved region, which is still showing strong economic growth despite troubles in several European markets and strong growth in business and tourism traffic.

Homegrown LCCs Air Arabia and flydubai are leading a push into the regions, but so too is Qatar Airways. Additionally, Oman Air plans to launch services to Moscow. While Middle Eastern carriers have long dominated traffic into western Europe, they now comprise the majority of traffic between the Middle East and central Europe, eastern Europe, Russia and CIS.

Air Malta troubles worsen as unions flex muscle and LCCs grow

Air Malta’s troubles have become more acute as the struggling carrier’s unions increase their opposition to large-scale redundancies. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has stated the present situation is increasingly worrying, particularly in light of the EUR77 million the government has poured into the airline since Jun-2011.

Hungary considers renationalisation of Budapest Airport as Hochtief’s assets go up for sale

Hungary’s government indicated earlier this month that it would exercise a put option on the stake of 25% plus one vote that it holds in Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport as the German airport operator Hochtief (75% minus one vote) commenced the sale of non-core assets ahead of a potential takeover of the group by its Spanish minority shareholder, ACS.