Published: 2023-05-14
Kam Jandu, the former chief commercial officer of Budapest Airport, has been promoted to CEO after serving in the company for over a decade. He plans to revive the airport's pre-covid capacity by expanding the number of destinations they serve and increasing the passenger count annually.
Long-Haul Expansion
Jandu's main goal as CEO is to focus on expanding the airport's long-haul capabilities, including re-establishing flights to Toronto, New York, Chicago, and American Airlines' hub at Philadelphia. The company also plans to recover the two Chinese cities they lost during the pandemic, with hopes of eventually providing direct flights to the USA and China without connecting flights.
Infrastructural Development
Budapest Airport has plans to expand not only the destinations it serves but also the capacity of passengers it can accommodate. Terminal 1 is set to reopen in 2026, which could result in an increase of over two million passengers per year. The company is also looking to begin construction on Terminal 3, with a projected operational start date of 2030. The airport expects to see a rise in passenger numbers from 14 million this year to over 16 million by 2024.
Expansion in Europe
The airport plans to establish flights to a variety of destinations in Europe, including Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Glasgow, and Newcastle. They will focus heavily on building aviation ties with Great Britain, which is the airport's largest and most lucrative market.
Conclusion
Jandu's plans for Hungary's Budapest Airport include expanding its long-haul capabilities and increasing its passenger capacity. With the reopening of Terminal 1 and the construction of Terminal 3, the airport is preparing for a more prosperous future. Their plans to add more European destinations and build stronger aviation ties with Great Britain aim to broaden the airport's customer base and drive economic growth for the company.
Questions & Answers
Who is the new CEO of Budapest Airport? The new CEO of Budapest Airport is Kam Jandu, who previously worked as the chief commercial officer (CCO) and has over 14 years of experience in the aviation industry.
What are Jandu's plans for Budapest Airport? One of Jandu's main promises is to rebuild the airport's pre-COVID capacities, including investments in long-haul flights to destinations like Toronto, New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia. He also plans to recover lost Chinese destinations and expand the airport's European offerings to cities like Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Glasgow, and Newcastle.
When is Terminal 1 expected to reopen? Terminal 1 is expected to reopen in 2026, which will increase the airport's capacity by over two million passengers a year.
When will Terminal 3 begin operations at Budapest Airport? According to current plans, Terminal 3 will begin operations in 2030.
How many travellers are expected to step foot at Budapest Airport in 2021? It is predicted that 14 million travellers will visit Budapest Airport in 2021.
Who will replace Jandu as CCO of Budapest Airport? Balázs Bogáts will replace Jandu as CCO. He previously worked for the now-defunct Hungarian airline, Malév, and joined Budapest Airport in 2011.
Why is the UK market important for Budapest Airport? The UK market is the airport's largest and most lucrative market, which makes aviation ties with Great Britain especially important for the airport.
