Going once, going twice, going three times to the US – American Airlines arrives at Budapest

Making history and marking the momentous development of Budapest Airport’s new US routes, Saturday saw the Hungarian gateway welcome the resumption of American Airlines’ flights at the airport. Launching Budapest’s third US link in a week, the oneworld member commenced its daily 767-300 flights to Philadelphia, a seasonal service which further strengthens the airport’s transatlantic connections this summer.
Providing almost 3,000 weekly seats between the two cities throughout S18, American’s new link will see the airport-pairing served for the first time. Welcoming the return of the world’s largest airline – in terms of number of airports operated from – passengers from Budapest can now connect to more than 160 destinations across North and Central America, and the Caribbean, on the carrier’s extensive route network.
At the official opening ceremony on 5 May, Budapest Airport’s CEO, Jost Lammers welcomed the arrival of this significant new service and the airport’s latest airline partner. Commenting on the most recent addition to the airport’s route network, Lammers stated: “It brings me great pride to welcome back American Airlines – a triumph of the hard work that has been carried out to secure the return of the airline and strengthen our long-haul expansion.” He added: “To welcome three new US routes within a week is an unprecedented moment in the history of Budapest Airport. The last few days have seen the recognition of Hungary’s attractiveness for business and leisure travellers alike, and emphasised our position as one of Europe’s fastest growing capital airports.”
“Budapest is a vibrant new addition to American’s international network and we are pleased to offer Hungarian travellers more choice and more connections for transatlantic travel,” said Richard Muise, Director Airport Operations, Europe and Canada, American Airlines. “If Philadelphia is their final destination, Hungarians will be able to explore all of the history, shopping and culture the “City of Brotherly Love” has to offer.”
As a result of the carrier’s 7,185-kilometre sector to the largest city in the Pennsylvanian state, Budapest will offer more than 300 flights direct to the US throughout S18. “With 300,000 US tourists expected to visit our country this year, American Airlines’ new route will help serve this high demand and enhance inbound traffic to Hungary. I have no doubt our new link will be a huge success in all segments of travellers,” explained Lammers.
Photo caption: Making history and marking the momentous moment American Airlines returned to Budapest Airport are: Jost Lammers, CEO, Budapest Airport; Rochelle Cameron, CEO, Philadelphia Airport; James Tyrrell, Chief Revenue Office, Philadelphia Airport; Jennifer Kane, Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of the US in Hungary; Harold Epps, Director of Commerce, City of Philadelphia; Richard Muise, Director Airport Operations, Europe and Canada, American Airlines; Kam Jandu, CCO, Budapest Airport; and Gábor Szarvas, Director Community Affairs, Enivronment, Health and Safety, Budapest Airport.
Notes for Editors
 Budapest Airport Zrt. is the operator of Budapest Airport. It is owned by an international consortium of investors, led by the privately-owned German company AviAlliance, an independent airport manager holding a 55.438% stake, together with Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (21.228%), and Malton Investment Pte Ltd. (23.334%).
 Budapest Airport welcomed more than 13 million passengers in 2017, flying on the airport’s services to 125 destinations across 45 countries.
 Monthly passenger traffic growth April 2018 has exceeded +13%.
 Budapest Airport’s route development includes:
Already launched:
o easyJet daily service to Berlin Tegel, 9 January 2018;
o Wizz Air twice-weekly service to Stavanger, 15 March 2018;
o Wizz Air four times weekly service to Athens, 25 March 2018;
o Ryanair twice-weekly service to Santander, 26 March 2018;
o Ryanair three times weekly service to Paphos, 27 March 2018;
o LOT Polish Airlines six times weekly service to Krakow, 28 April 2018;
o Wizz Air five times weekly service to Basel, 3 May 2018;
o LOT Polish Airlines four times weekly service to New York JFK, 3 May 2018;
o LOT Polish Airlines twice-weekly service to Chicago O’Hare, 5 May 2018;
o American Airlines daily service to Philadelphia, 5 May 2018.
To launch:
o Ryanair twice-weekly service to Amman, starting 28 October 2018;
o Ryanair twice-weekly service to Marseille, starting 30 October 2018.
For more information: Kerry Parks, Account Manager, Budapest Airport Aviation Development PR PPS Publications, Media & Events (44) 1293 783851/mobile (44) 7808 172723 or kerry@pps-publications.com