150% Increase in air traffic at Sármellék Airport

Published: 3/2/2000

According to a report from the Hungarian Economic Ministry, air traffic increased by 150% at Sármellék Airport in western Hungary in 1999 compared with the previous year, through a doubling of aircraft movements. Around 9,200 passengers were reported to have arrived at the airport during the period, and a similar figure is expected for the coming year, particularly as the Ministry of Tourism has been actively targeting ‘quality tourism" from Germany and Switzerland and according to the Ministry, the UK"s Monarch and R2000 airlines are to launch regular business flights to the airport. The latter airlines however, deny any such plans. The airport already receives charter flights from Germany, Switzerland and Russia, which are used by business travellers as well as tourists and there are reports of bigger airlines planning to schedule regular 14-50-seat charter flights from Germany. The development of the airport is seen as vital to the growth of the whole region, and is supported by city officials and those involved in the tourist industry. Hilda Sallai Mészáros, Assistant Manager of the Thermal Hotel, Hévíz, the neighbouring thermal town, said that it was important for the hotel to have regular flights arriving from western countries bringing people to the region. ‘Around 5-10% of the municipality"s guests are coming to relax in the famous thermal baths thanks to the airport" she added, ‘It is a good number but we would like to strengthen it further."

Article ID: 1500