Qatar Airways starts direct, daily non-stop Budapest-Doha flights

Qatar Airways yesterday commenced direct daily operations between Budapest Airport and Doha, expanding the previous four times weekly schedule, introduced in January, and dropping the stop-over in Bucharest, Romania. The new frequency is an excellent enhancement welcomed by Budapest Airport and its passengers.

About Budapest Airport
Budapest Airport Plc., the operator of Ferenc Liszt International Airport is owned by a consortium of German (KfW IPEX-Bank 4%) Canadian (Caisse de depôt et placement de Québec 18,17%), American (Aero Investment S.a.r.l. 10 %) and Singaporean (Malton Investments Pte Ltd. 18,17%) investors led by HOCHTIEF AirPort GmbH (49,67%). Currently, the two terminals of the airport are home to 32 airlines, which transported nearly 8.2 million passengers to more than 92 destinations in 40 countries in 2010.

Through its BUD Future project Budapest Airport aims to be the aviation hub of the CEE region. Leading projects include:

SkyCourt - a new centrally located building which formally opened on 27 March 2011, and links the existing terminals 2a and 2b. The contemporary glass structure offers an impressive view of the apron and aims to provide passengers with a unique travel experience.

Cargo City - New on-airport cargo facilities will feature 140.000sqm of cargo and logistics terminals designed for airlines, handlers and integrators.

Budapest Airport incorporates two terminals. Terminal 1 is a dedicated low cost carrier terminal and Terminal 2 services the traditional carriers.

The airport is also the base for Malev, Hungary's national airline and part of the One World alliance and is home to a further 32 airlines, serving over 92 destinations which represents 40 countries worldwide.

About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, recently named Airline of the Year in the annual Skytrax industry audit, flies to over 100 diverse business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America with a modern fleet of 98 aircraft.

Over the next few weeks Qatar Airways will expand its services to the Bulgarian capital Sofia beginning September 14; the Norwegian capital Oslo from October 5; Entebbe in Uganda starting November 2; and Chongqing, the airline's newest route in China, effective November 28.

Qatar Airways operates one of the youngest fleet of aircraft in the skies today. It has orders worth over $4bn for more than 200 aircraft, including Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s, A320 Family of aircraft and Bombardier corporate jets. The rapid expansion of Qatar Airways prompted the State of Qatar to embark on one of its biggest projects - the construction of a brand new international airport in Doha, which is scheduled to open in 2012.

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