Budapest Airport has signed a memorandum of understanding with Xi’an Xianyang International Airport to develop aviation links between China and Central and Eastern Europe.

According to Budapest Airport, it aims to become a major distribution and logistics base for China in the region.

“Between two countries like these – with quite a distance between them geographically – strong economic cooperation is only possible if they are well-connected, which is why aviation connections, direct flights between Hungary and China, are of key importance,” said Péter Szijjártó [centre in photo], Hungarian minister of foreign affairs and trade. “For this reason, we are delighted that a cooperation agreement between the airport of Xi’an and Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport is signed, as this agreement may link additional Chinese cities to the network where direct flights are available from Hungary, from Budapest.”

The agreement was signed during the Hungarian-Chinese Forum, held in parallel with the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing.

Budapest Airport expects to also sign a cooperation agreement with Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport this May, when a Chinese delegation is due to visit Budapest.

Since the beginning of April, Cargolux has been operating two additional direct freighter flights per week between Zhengzhou and Budapest.

“The foundation stone was laid with the direct connection to Zhengzhou, and now it is time to further intensify our cooperation with our new Chinese partners, and thus exploit the enormous potential in the freight business in particular,” said Jost Lammers, CEO of Budapest Airport. “Zhengzhou, Xi’an and Budapest share a great dynamic of growth, and we are very confident that we can mutually benefit from this cooperation.”

A number of other agreements were also signed during the Hungarian-Chinese Forum, concerning areas such as investment, the pharmaceutical industry as well as trade and development.

Construction is ongoing at Budapest Airport’s new €32.6 million (US$36.6 million) Cargo City project, consisting of a 21,600-square-metre warehouse and another forwarder building offering 11,200 square metres of warehouse and office space, as well as a 32,000-square-metre cargo apron. The new facility is expected to be handed over to operators and tenants by the end of 2019.