Aerodrom Budaörs

“Is this the only international airport?” a young boy asked his father in 1937, gazing at the sleek, modern terminal of Aerodrom Budaörs. His father chuckled. “For now, son, it is.” Aerodrom Budaörs, nestled on the edge of Budapest in District 11, wasn’t always a quiet hub for general aviation. It once held the prestigious title of Hungary’s sole international gateway. The story of Aerodrom Budaörs begins in the mid-1930s. Budapest needed a proper airport, and the small airfield at Mátyásföld was no longer sufficient. Construction began in 1935 on the former grazing land. The architect Virgil Bierbauer designed a stunning terminal building, completed in a remarkable 232 days. It was inaugurated in June 1937 by István Horthy, a renowned pilot. The main hangar, finished the same year, was a marvel of engineering, the largest in Europe. Aerodrom Budaörs quickly became the bustling heart of Hungarian aviation, home to Malert, the precursor to Malév Hungarian Airlines. Imagine stepping onto the tarmac in 1938. You might see an Air France plane preparing for a flight to Bucharest or a Deutsche Luft Hansa aircraft bound for Berlin. British Airways even offered a service from Heston via Frankfurt starting in 1939. The airport buzzed with activity, connecting Hungary to a growing network of European cities. However, Aerodrom Budaörs’ reign was short-lived. The surrounding hills limited expansion, and the need for longer runways became evident. A new airport, Ferihegy (now Liszt Ferenc International Airport), was built in 1939. Although damaged during World War II, Ferihegy’s restoration was completed by 1950. Aerodrom Budaörs gracefully transitioned from international hub to a center for agricultural aviation. Today, Aerodrom Budaörs serves general aviation. The terminal building, a protected historical monument, stands as a reminder of its glorious past. It houses the Goldtimer Foundation, where aviation enthusiasts can admire a restored Lisunov Li-2, the only operable one in Hungary. While no longer a gateway to the world, Aerodrom Budaörs remains a treasure for aviation history buffs.