The record traffic in early May was helped by the increased interest in two new ferries and catamarans.Continue reading
The Ministry of National Economy recently established Regional Airport Holding Ltd. with the aim of developing a unified and efficient operating model for regional airports in Hungary. “The Ministry is breaking with the previous fragmented operating model and creating a centralized, professionally coordinated system,” they told Index.
The mayor of Hévíz (western Hungary) hopes that new visitors to the region will make the dream of two million overnight stays per year a reality. “Hévíz-Balaton Airport could be a huge step forward for Hévíz, Zala County, and the whole of western Hungary,” Péter Naszádos told Index. He added that regular passenger flights are planned to depart and arrive from Germany, the Visegrád Four countries, and Israel. The mayor also believes that the development will have a beneficial effect on the industry in Zalaegerszeg and Nagykanizsa (western Hungary).
Previously, the Hungarian Tourism Agency was the main owner of the airport in Sármellék with a 90 percent stake, but it was recently replaced by the Ministry of National Economy. Hévíz still holds a 10 percent stake in Hévíz-Balaton Airport Kft., which operates the airport. The Ministry of National Economy is the owner of the three international commercial airports operating in Hungary: Budapest, Debrecen, and Sármellék.
Thermal Lake of Hévíz. Photo via Pixabay
The Ministry recently established Regional Airport Holding Ltd. They explained that the company’s primary task is to coordinate the operation of the airports, enabling the exploitation of synergies arising from cooperation and the sharing of best practices. With the establishment of the holding, the Ministry is breaking with the previous fragmented operating model and creating a centralized, professionally coordinated system that will also be actively involved in operational management.
The airport and stakeholders interested in the development of tourism are constantly looking for opportunities to establish regular scheduled traffic,”
replied the Ministry to the question asked by Index of which countries or regions’ airports the Airport Holding is seeking to cooperate with. As they wrote, negotiations are currently underway. “In order to ensure success, we are only able to provide information about these negotiations once an agreement has been reached. Flights can only be announced with the involvement of our airline partners,” they said.
The increase in traffic at Hévíz-Balaton Airport could give a direct boost to tourism in the western region of Lake Balaton and western Hungary.
Festetics Castle in Keszthely, at the western corner of Lake Balaton. Photo: Pexels
It would also improve access to the Balaton region and the spa towns of Zala and Vas counties, and could play a key role in achieving the “Balaton 365” objective attracting tourists to the “Hungarian sea” in every season of the year.
The airport’s catchment area could attract new visitors, especially travelers who would not choose this region without air connections. With its modern infrastructure, it can handle aircraft carrying 150-220 passengers, making it suitable for discount and charter flights from Europe and nearby regions of Asia,”
according to the Ministry. In addition to its impact on tourism, the airport could also help boost business relations by providing faster access to Europe’s economic centers. It is also suitable for freight traffic, which, with the right developments, could increase the region’s economic appeal and logistical role, they concluded.
Via Index, Featured photo via Pixabay