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Budapest Airport signed a contract with Kesz Zrt., a company from Szeged, Hungary, for the extension and refurbishment of Terminals 2A and 2B. The 200 million euro (52 billion HUF) investment signals the beginning of the most spectacular phase of the development program for Ferihegy Airport, the construction of the new centralized passenger terminal with the landmark building called BUD SkyCourt, linking today’s Terminal 2A and 2B. BA made the promise to the Hungarian state when it took over the operation of the airport that it will spend 65 billion HUF on developing infrastructure at Ferihegy by 2011 as part of the BUD Future program. Demolition and then the construction works commence in January.
In February 2008, Budapest Airport published a public procurement tender for the execution of the most significant airport development project of the last fifteen years in Hungary. BA received six offers, and the bid submitted by KESZ Epito es Szerelo Zrt., a Szeged-based company established as a family business in 1982, proved to be the best one.
The project includes the demolition of 12 000 square meters of existing buildings and the construction of 50 000 square meters of new passenger circulation areas. KESZ Zrt. will also be responsible for reconstructing 35 000 square meters of the current terminal buildings. According to the contract, the construction company has 42 months to complete the work.
However, passengers will be able to use some parts of the new terminal already at the end of 2009. The summer of 2010 is the scheduled completion date for the new central building called the BUD SkyCourt, which will link Terminals 2A and 2B. The SkyCourt will be the new heart of Terminal 2, where passengers will enter after check-in and security screening.
Security screening will be centralized in the SkyCourt to ensure that checks can be performed speedily and comfortably. The departure level will feature shops and the mezzanine level bars and restaurants. There will also be a new pier and numerous boarding bridges connecting to the terminal.
The complete reconstruction of Terminal 2 is necessary since current facilities cannot readily accommodate the need for separate Schengen and non-Schengen areas, which became a requirement after Hungary’s accession to the Schengen zone on 1 January 2008. By expanding the capacity of the terminal, Budapest Airport will also provide a more comfortable travel experience, and will make the airport one of the symbols of Hungary, which everyone can be proud of. The BUD Future program will assist in turning the airport into one of the key drivers of the region and of the entire Hungarian economy.
“The signing of the T2 development contract is perhaps the most significant event of the year,” said BA CEO Jost Lammers at the signing ceremony. “This is the start of a work project that will define the life of Ferihegy for decades to come. Tens of millions of passengers will use the new terminal, hopefully to their satisfaction. The contract is also proof that Budapest Airport will not be diverted from the right path. In spite of the global economic crisis and all other difficulties, we are keeping to our commitments and pushing through with the development of Ferihegy.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
