Does the roar of a jet engine thrill you? Well you have come to the right place. Welcome to Ferihegyi fel- és leszálló repülő nézegető rét. Here you can indulge your passion for aviation. The Ferihegyi fel- és leszálló repülő nézegető rét is the perfect spot to watch planes take off and land at Budapest Liszt Ferenc Nemzetközi Repülőtér.
Budapest Airport is Hungary’s largest and most well-known airport. It is located about 16 kilometers southeast of Budapest. The airport has a rich history dating back to 1950. In 2011, it was renamed Budapest Liszt Ferenc Nemzetközi Repülőtér. This commemorated the 200th anniversary of composer Franz Liszt’s birth.
Before 1950, air travel in Hungary was difficult. Mátyásföld Airport and Budaörs Airport served as international airports. But in 1938, officials decided to build a new airport. The location was chosen near three settlements: Pestszentlőrinc, Rákoshegy, and Vecsés. This area was flat and ideal for an airport.
Planning began in 1939. They intended the airport for civil, military, and sport aviation. Meteorologists studied wind and fog conditions. The gravel soil and deep groundwater were additional advantages. The airport was designed with separate areas. The northwest was for civil aviation. The southwest was for military facilities. The east was for sports aviation.
Construction started in 1942. But World War II caused significant damage. German and Soviet troops temporarily occupied the airport. In 1947, the government decided to rebuild Ferihegy for civil aviation. They cleared explosives and restored buildings. The 13/31 runway was paved.
The official opening ceremony was on May 7, 1950. This allowed Maszovlet, based in Budaörs, to operate here. Initially, only planes from friendly Eastern Bloc countries flew to Ferihegy. The first westward flight was to Vienna in 1956. KLM, a Dutch airline, was the first Western airline to fly to Budapest in 1957.
By 1960, Ferihegy was one of the most modern airports in Central Europe. It had a transit lounge and radar equipment. The runway was extended. But rapid growth soon made the airport too small. A major state investment was needed.
In 1983, a second runway was completed. A new control tower was built. Radar equipment was installed across Hungary. In 1985, Terminal 2 opened to handle more passengers.
Today, Budapest Airport continues to develop. It has added new terminals and facilities. The airport handled over 16 million passengers in 2019. In 2023, it managed 201,306 tons of cargo. Despite challenges, Budapest Airport remains a vital hub. It connects Hungary to the world. Ferihegyi fel- és leszálló repülő nézegető rét provides an excellent vantage point. It allows everyone to witness the ongoing story of aviation. The airport’s story continues.