Budapest and Hungary Tourism Break Records as Ferenc Liszt Airport Welcomes Nineteen Millionth Passenger in 2025: All You Need to Know

Published on December 13, 2025

Budapest and Hungary tourism have achieved a significant aviation milestone as Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport welcomed its nineteen millionth passenger on 9 December 2025, marking the highest annual volume in the facility’s seventy-five-year history. The passenger arrived on a flight from Copenhagen, highlighting the airport’s growing connectivity with Scandinavian markets and broader European networks. This record underscores Hungary’s rising appeal as a cultural, thermal and city-break tourism destination, with sustained monthly traffic exceeding 1.5 million passengers since April and averaging 1.8 million during autumn months.

The achievement reflects strategic investments in airline development and infrastructure, positioning Budapest as Central Europe’s leading aviation gateway and supporting national efforts to attract more international visitors to historic sites, thermal baths and Danube cruises.

Record passenger growth fuels Hungary’s tourism momentum

Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport’s performance demonstrates robust recovery and expansion beyond pre-pandemic levels, with consistent high-volume months confirming Hungary’s status as an accessible  short-haul tourism hub. Autumn traffic averaged 1.8 million passengers monthly, driven by low-cost carriers, full-service airlines and seasonal charter flights serving leisure demand from key European source markets.

This surge directly benefits Hungary tourism, as increased airlift enables more visitors to explore Budapest’s UNESCO-listed cityscape, nearby wine regions and Lake Balaton, while facilitating easier access for conferences and events. The airport’s diversified airline strategy has broadened route options, making Hungary more competitive against regional rivals like Vienna and Prague.

Strategic airline development and Scandinavian connectivity

The milestone passenger’s arrival via SAS from Copenhagen illustrates the success of targeted airline partnerships that have expanded Budapest’s network. Scandinavian carriers have increased frequencies to the Hungarian capital, supporting business travel, cultural exchanges and leisure tourism between the Nordics and Central Europe.

Airport management attributes growth to a comprehensive airline development programme, which has attracted new routes and higher frequencies from across Europe, the Middle East and beyond. This connectivity strengthens Hungary’s position in the city-break and weekend tourism market, where quick flights from major hubs enable high-yield short stays focused on Budapest’s architecture, cuisine and festive markets.

Infrastructure investments support sustained tourism growth

To accommodate rising demand, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport continues major  infrastructure upgrades aimed at boosting capacity, streamlining passenger flows and enhancing the overall travel experience. Recent and planned developments include terminal expansions, improved security processing, additional gates and better retail and dining options, all designed to handle projected growth without compromising service quality.

These enhancements are critical for Hungary tourism competitiveness, ensuring that the airport serves as a seamless gateway rather than a bottleneck. Enhanced facilities encourage longer layovers with airport tourism features, while capacity increases support more charter flights for group tours and events, further diversifying visitor profiles.

Marketing efforts elevate Hungary’s global tourism profile

National tourism promotion has played a key role in driving passenger numbers, with data-driven campaigns targeting high-potential markets across Europe and beyond. Initiatives highlight Hungary’s blend of historic Budapest, rural escapes and wellness tourism, positioning the country as an all-season destination that appeals to families, couples and solo travellers alike.

The combination of airport growth and targeted marketing is expected to sustain momentum into 2026, potentially pushing annual volumes toward twenty million passengers and opening doors to new long-haul routes. This trajectory reinforces Budapest’s role as the economic heart of Hungarian tourism, channeling visitors into hotels, restaurants and attractions nationwide.

Broader impact on Central European tourism dynamics

Budapest Airport’s record positions Hungary as a standout performer in Central European tourism aviation, outpacing many regional peers and challenging larger hubs. The airport’s location facilitates easy onward travel to Vienna, Bratislava and other destinations, creating multi-city itineraries that extend visitor stays and spending across borders.

For Hungarian tourism stakeholders, the nineteen million passenger milestone validates years of investment in product development, from renovated thermal baths to expanded event calendars. It also signals readiness for major 2026 opportunities, including potential sports events and cultural anniversaries, ensuring sustained growth in high-value segments like MICE tourism and luxury travel.