Budapest Airport today unveiled its brand-new Pier B project, part of the gateway’s BUD 2020 development program to enhance airport infrastructure and improve the passenger experience. The pier, constructed by KÉSZ Építő Zrt. and adjoining Terminal 2B, spans 225m in length and will add over 10,000m2 of space to the current terminal. Inaugurated today, the facility opens just as the airport prepares to hit 15 million passengers by year-end, two million more than it processed last year, an impressive increase of 14-15%.
Pier B, which will mainly be used for non-Schengen flights, accommodates 10 new boarding jetways, the infrastructure allowing for three wide-body aircraft to be served simultaneously. “This is one of the main reasons for building this new pier,” comments Jost Lammers, CEO, Budapest Airport. “We are supporting wide-body operations to North America with American Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines and Air Canada Rouge, while also having regular services from Emirates, Qatar Airways and Air China to the Middle East and Asia. We have never had so many long-haul destinations for passengers before.” Overall,
Pier B will have a total of 27 direct, bussed and pedestrian boarding options, advancing operations for the 44 airlines flying from the airport this summer.
Pier B is just one element of a series of projects taking shape over the airport site as part of the five-year BUD 2020 development programme. With the investments totalling between €170-€180 million the next phase includes the building of a new multi-story car park outside Terminal 2, plus this September the airport will break ground on the construction of a state-of-the-art 20,000m2 air cargo logistics centre, which will also see 36,000m2 additional apron space being added.
While Pier B is now open, and the multi-story car park and air cargo logistics centre still work in progress, the airport’s development team is already working on plans to add a new Terminal 3 project. To be situated next to Terminals 2A and B, the latest plans will accommodate the expected passenger traffic growth over the next decade. “We are working on various options and concepts for a potential Terminal 3, further enhancing the passenger experience as we continue to grow,” adds Lammers.
