The €50 million (US$55 million) dedicated air freight facility at the Budapest Airport (BUD) dubbed as BUD "Cargo City" has been completed, and is soon expected to play a significant role in connecting Asia and North America to Europe.

In a statement, Budapest Airport said the terminal includes an 11,200 m2 forwarder building and 21,600 m2 of warehousing space, with a 32,000 m2 cargo apron, which will be able to service two Boeing 747 freighters simultaneously. 

Asia, North America connections

“BUD Cargo City is a significant milestone in BUD’s growth strategy, and establishes the airport as the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)’s air cargo hub and gateway to the world,” said Rene Droese, chief property and cargo officer, Budapest Airport.

“BUD Cargo City provides a state of the art, efficient, linear and rapid logistics environment for our air cargo community and opens up a world of potential for our partners with high quality increased capacity to build new connections to all continents, especially Asia and North America,” he added.

The Phase 1 of air freight terminal, BUD Cargo City is now complete, boosting capacity to an annual 250,000 tonnes. The forwarder building will be handed over in Phase 2, in January 2020 for other freight forwarders such as Kuehne + Nagel, cargo-partner, DB Schenker, EKOL, Kombi Express, Ghibli/ CECZ and Yusen Logistics. 

Currently, Celebi Aviation Holding and Menzies Aviation, are two of the international ground and cargo handling companies moving into the Cargo City.

Celebi Ground Handling Hungary handles 90,000 tonnes of cargo per year at BUD and has invested in a two-phase infrastructure development plan in anticipation of air cargo growth at BUD.

“BUD’s location is very attractive with its catchment area that expands both into eastern and western Europe,” said Atilla Korkmazoglu, president, ground handling & cargo, EMEA, Celebi Aviation Holding.

China connectivity

“We have implemented a two-phase construction plan in order to meet growing air cargo volumes at BUD, and phase one is already underway with a 22,000 m2 area that includes 12,000 m2 warehouse space, 1,600 m2 office and social areas, and 8,000 m2 manoeuvring and equipment parking areas, we will install a brand new ETV to increase the capacity for phase 2,” he added.

In line with the airport plan, Çelebi said it has upgraded freighter capacity with the new 35-ton high loader for access to dedicated areas for special cargo handling.

In the last twelve months BUD has opened belly and freighter routes to China, and BUD Cargo City new routes are scheduled to open in 2020, continuing to strengthen ties with China and invest in the air cargo community.

“BUD airport has demonstrated that the team understands the value of cargo as a revenue stream, and their proactive approach to building an air cargo handling solution and community benefits their partners and the entire air cargo industry,” said Robert Fordree, executive vice president – cargo, Menzies Aviation.

“We will be bringing our global network to BUD creating new opportunities for consolidation and global deals, and our new warehousing and office facilities at BUD Cargo City will provide us with airside access which is a game-changer for our business in Hungary,” he added.