Following a change in ownership last year, Budapest Airport is seeking to dramatically expand its passenger traffic, aiming to welcome 20 million travellers by 2030 and 35 million by 2040. The Hungarian capital currently offers flights to 136 destinations, but that number will need to rise to meet such ambitious goals. This means new airlines will have to enter the market, and there’s no shortage of interested carriers. If all goes according to plan, travellers may soon be flying from Budapest to an exotic new country.

Direct flights from Budapest Airport to exotic destination may launch soon

According to Budflyer, a Facebook page focused on aviation, Omani budget airline SalamAir has expressed interest in launching service to Hungary. In a recent interview, SalamAir CEO Adrian Hamilton-Manns discussed plans for strategic expansion that include Budapest. The airline is also eyeing Prague in the same region, as well as Tashkent, Chengdu, Almaty, and Astana in Asia.

The Hungarian government has regularly advocated for more direct flights linking Budapest with Eastern destinations, though many of these routes struggle to remain viable due to low passenger numbers. Still, officials continue to push for a Muscat-Budapest route—at least from a diplomatic standpoint.

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Charter services between Hungary and Oman have been operating successfully since 2023, according to Budflyer. These flights are run not by SalamAir but by Smartwings, the largest private airline in the Czech Republic. Notably, they fly to Salalah rather than to the Omani capital, Muscat, and the 2024 season reportedly closed on a high note. For now, travelling to Oman without using a charter flight remains both complicated—requiring at least one layover—and expensive.

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Oman’s strategic importance

To bolster economic ties, a high-level Hungarian delegation led by Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó visited Oman during the pandemic. Discussions centred around market opportunities for tech-focused Hungarian firms and the regional presence of energy company MOL.

Oman’s regional importance is underscored by the fact that several rounds of nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran took place there. Even after the talks moved to Rome, the Omani embassy continued to host the meetings.

Major airport upgrades promised

Budapest Airport is among the few major airports without a direct rail connection to the city or a neighbouring metropolis—a major shortcoming. Currently, passengers must take a bus to the Ferihegy train station, where they can catch trains to downtown Budapest or regional destinations. Road access also presents challenges, as the adjacent expressway, with just one lane in each direction, is easily congested.

To address these issues, the government approved plans in early June to support the creation of a railway link. However, unlike the airport, the rail project won’t receive direct government investment; it’s expected to be developed under a concession model. Tenders are promised within six months—before Hungary’s next election—and the estimated cost stands at around €1 billion (400 billion forints).

New cargo airport will be built

Amid growing freight demand, the government is also considering building a cargo-only airport. The current airport is nearing its cargo capacity of 400,000–450,000 tons. Officials are evaluating 5–6 potential sites and are primarily seeking investment from Eastern partners, including China, the Middle East, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. The project is currently estimated to cost between €400 million and €1 billion.

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