Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (Hungarian: Ferihegy Repülőtér or simply Ferihegy) is the only airport serving the capital city of Budapest, and the only international civilian airport in all of Hungary. The airport offers a wide range of international connections primarily within Europe, but also to Asia, the Middle East, and North America. The airport is located 10 miles (16km) south east of Budapest, accessible by the major transport artery of Ŭllői út.

Ferihegy is large enough to accept the Boeing 747 and Antonov An-124, but as of 2005 only one 747 served route lands at Ferihegy per week. Airbus A380 capability is not yet known. Most of the traffic is comprised of Airbus, Boeing 737, and Douglas DC-9 derived twinjets, flying to and from European cities, and several overseas Boeing 767s. A few ex-Soviet bloc airlines still fly Tupolev and Ilyushin jetliners to Ferihegy.

Planes landing from the north (this depends on the wind conditions) will fly low over the Kőbánya district, the location of the largest cemetery in Europe. Weather seldom diverts aircraft. When this does happen, planes usually land at Bratislava or Vienna.

History

Ferihegy was opened on May 7, 1950, built originally for Maszovlet (Magyar-Szovjet Polgári Légiforgalmi Részvénytársaság), the predecessor of MALÉV Hungarian Airlines. A 2,500 meter (8,205 feet) runway (currently Rwy 13R-31L), a large hangar, and a terminal were built at this time.

In 1961, the runway was extended to 3,010 meters (9,875 feet).

Over the next few decades improvements were made, but it was in 1985 that the most important addition was finalized. The new, modern terminal was opened, destined to replace the old terminal as the passenger flight center of the airport. The second runway (Rwy 13L-31R) built for the new terminal is 3,706 meters (12,162 feet) long.

Terminals

Ferihegy airport has three terminals (1, 2A, 2B). A new large air cargo base is about to be built. Transfer between terminals 2A and 2B is convenient enough to be completed on foot. However, the older Terminal 1 is farther away and must be reached via bus.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 primarily serves cargo, private, and charter flights. However, before 1985 it was the sole terminal at Ferihegy.

Terminal 2A

Terminal 2A was originally built exclusively for MALÉV Hungarian Airlines, but it now serves not only MALÉV, but its code-share airline partners as well. This modern, well-designed terminal replaced the original terminal in 1985.

Terminal 2B

Although connected to Terminal 2A, it is referred to as a separate terminal. It serves all of the other international flights and airlines not served by Terminal 2A.

An open-air watching platform for relatives and plane enthusiasts exists at Terminal 2, but its regular spring-to-autumn, morning-to-sunset hours may be restricted due to terrorism concerns. A small fee of 200 Forint (US$1) is charged for adults, and 100 Ft for children.

Airlines

In addition to MALÉV Hungarian Airlines, which utilizes Ferihegy as its hub airport, the following airlines use the airport:

• ABC Airlines
• Aeroflot
• Aeromexico
• Aeroswit
• Air Berlin
• Air France
• Air Kazakhstan
• Air Malta
• Air New Zealand
• Alitalia
• American Airlines
• Austrian Airlines
• British Airways
• Cargolux
• Carpatair
• Chapman Freedom
• CSA Czech Airlines
• Cyprus Airways
• DHL
• EgyptAir
• El Al
• Finnair
• Germanwings
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Luxair
• Moldavian Airlines
• Montenegro Airlines
• Pulkovo Airlines
• SAS Scandinavian Airlines
• SkyEurope
• SN Brussels Airlines
• Snowflake
• South African Airways
• Swiss International Airlines
• TAP Air Portugal
• TAROM Romanian
• TNT Express
• Travel Service
• Tunis Air
• Turkish Airlines
• VARIG
• Wizz Air

Safety and Security

As with any airport, theft can be a problem among employees and the pickpockets in the waiting areas. Travelers may wish to have their bags turn-wrapped in clean plastic sheet before handing them over at the counter for a fee of 1500 Ft. (US$7.50). Due to security issues, one should never leave luggage unattended. It is likely to be stolen or confiscated.

There was an IED bus attack against Russian Jewish emigrants at Ferihegy in the early 1990s. However, there have been no terrorist incidences since then.

Transportation

There is currently no light rail access to Ferihegy, but plans exist to either extend the current metro system, or build a new municipal railway perhaps as late as 2010. Mounting pressure from the hotel industry could make it happen earlier.

An airport mass transit articulated bus (provided by BKV company) leaves for the city centre every 20 minutes. It costs less than one euro. The BKV airport bus runs to the starting station of the M3 underground line (Kőbánya-Kispest — also a mainline railway station). This is not recommended for foreigners due to the constant presence of some potentially dangerous homeless persons in the pedestrian tube between the bus junction and the M3 end station platform. Policemen usually only speak Hungarian. Boarding the Metro 3 trains at "Ecseri út" or "Nagyvárad tér" stations are suggested alternatives.

The LRI airport authority operates an 11 passenger airport minibus service that takes passengers to any destination in the city. The price is fixed and affordable. Tickets can be purchased at the Airport Minibus counter.

Taxis are available from the taxi stand. However, foreigners are often cheated, and it is recommended that passengers call a reputable taxi company and wait, rather than taking a chance with a potentially problematic scammer.

Car rental is also available at the airport. As is true in many cities throughout the world, one should never leave valuable items in the car, as vehicle theft is a problem. It is recommended that visitors do not rent vehicles that have rental company stickers on them, as they are more likely to be targeted by car thiefs.

Airport Codes

IATA: BUD

ICAO: LHBP

Amenities and Services

Facilities include ATMs, bureaux de change , left luggage, first aid, duty-free shops, child care, post office, a chapel, restaurants, tourist information and hotel reservations. There are facilities for disabled passengers and wheelchairs are available from the airport help desks; travellers with special needs are advised to contact their airline or travel agent in advance. A short walk down the long drive from Terminal 2 there is an open-air aircraft museum. Short- and long-term parking lots are situated close to the terminal buildings.

The airport has good GSM phone coverage.

External links

• Official site (in Hungarian; also provides a link to English translation)
• Ferihegy Airport technical information
• MALÉV Hungarian Airlines (also provides information on Ferihegy)