Budapest Airport reports record O&D pax in 2012, LCC pax up 92%; 13 Malev routes not yet restored

Hungary's Budapest Airport reported (18-Feb-2013) a record number of originating and departing passengers of 8.3 million in 2012, with only 200,000 passengers using the airport as a hub for transfers. This compares with the previous record of point to point traffic in 2011 of 7.4 million passengers, at a time when almost half of Malev's passengers transferred through Budapest. The airport also reported the average load factor increased 2.5 ppts to 74.1% in 2012. Traffic by LCCs increased 91.8% to 4.4 million. Budapest Airport handled 61,938 tonnes of cargo, during the year. The airport reported it improved its punctuality in 2012 with 82.4% of flights departing on time compared with 79% in 2011. Airport related delays, which accounted for 4.6%, were reduced by just under 50%, for a total of 30,000 minutes. By year end, Budapest Airport's network reached 110 airports (up 17%) in 93 cities (up 17%) in 41 countries. With many carriers picking up routes abandoned by Malev, today only 13 destinations previously served have not resumed. [more - original PR]