Wizz Air takes a home run: winning team prize for the ‘Fastest Airline in the World’ the home-based airline is presented the trophy by Dionisio Olalla-Lopez, Sales Director, Airbus (left) which once again proudly supported the event as main title sponsor.
1,077 runners drawn from airlines, airports, other aviation enterprises, and running enthusiasts from throughout Hungary and across the globe.
A team of 26 Wizz Air runners raced down Budapest Airport’s Runway 13R-31L on Saturday 2 September to claim the title of ‘The Fastest Airline in the World.’ Hosting the annual air transport industry’s 10km charity race, the airport once again closed one of its extremely active runways so that runners could take part in the exceptional experience of racing down the runway of a major European airport in daylight.
With this year’s entries more than quadrupling since the first run five years ago, last weekend saw more than 1,000 runners from airlines, airports and other aviation enterprises from around the globe line up on the start line. As home-based Wizz Air won the most-coveted team prize, main title sponsor Airbus went home triumphant as the ‘Fastest Aviation Enterprise’ once again, while also seeing its team leader Dionisio Olalla-Lopez, Sales Director, being the first to cross the line as ‘Fastest Aviator’ with a scorching time of 37:34.
Having raised a record €35,000 last year – this year’s numbers yet to be confirmed – the fifth Budapest Airport Runway Run, co-organised with the airline news and analysis website anna.aero, and sponsored by Airbus and Qatar Airways was held again in aid of the bone marrow transplant charity, Anthony Nolan, and Hungary’s Suhanj! Foundation, a charity which supports the inclusion of disabled people in sport. “The support from all involved over the years of the run has been incredible,” explains Laura Howard Jones, Head of Corporate Partnerships, Anthony Nolan. “The money raised goes a long way in saving and improving the lives of people with blood cancer, and we can’t thank you enough,” added Jones.
Following a year-round global promotion of Budapest Airport to the international airline and air transport community, this year’s runners and teams included a competitive entry of 24 runners from 2016 overall winner Aer Lingus. The Irish flag carrier was joined by numerous other entrants from airline sponsor Qatar Airways, Air Transat, ASL Airlines, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines, Small Planet Airlines, Ryanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, United Airlines as well as returning past champions SWISS. Challenged by numerous airports, including those of Ljubljana, Malta, Vienna, Munich, Nuremburg, Belgrade, and even as far afield as Seattle-Tacoma, Poland’s Wroclaw Airport firmly held on to its title of ‘Fastest Airport’ for the third consecutive year, while Heinemann Duty Free was ‘Fastest Concessionaire 2017.’
Speaking at race headquarters in the airport’s historic Terminal 1, Budapest Airport’s CEO, Jost Lammers effused: “Budapest Airport continues to be extremely proud to stage such a unique event in Europe, and one which successfully brings together the air transport community. Our annual sporting and fundraising event is a wonderful opportunity for us to support our benefitting charities, while those involved can also experience our superb airport and stunning city. Thank you to all who joined us.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
