BUD Cargo City, Budapest Airport (BUD)'s new EUR50 million dedicated air freight facility has been completed, with all warehouse and office space leased out to tenants.

Celebi Aviation Holding and Menzies Aviation are two of the international ground and cargo handling companies moving into the 21,600 m2 state-of-the-art cargo handling facility, part of BUD's Development Programme.

The terminal includes an 11,200 m2 forwarder building and 21,600 m2 of warehousing space, with a 32,000 m2 cargo apron, which will be able to service two Boeing 747 freighters simultaneously.

"BUD Cargo City is a significant milestone in BUD's growth strategy, and establishes the airport as the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)'s air cargo hub and gateway to the world," said Rene Droese, Chief Property and Cargo Officer, Budapest Airport (BUD).

"BUD Cargo City provides a state of the art, efficient, linear and rapid logistics environment for our air cargo community and opens up a world of potential for our partners with high quality increased capacity to build new connections to all continents, especially Asia and North America."

Phase 1 of EUR50 million air freight terminal, BUD Cargo City is now complete, boosting capacity to an annual 250,000 tonnes.

The forwarder building will be handed over in Phase 2, in January 2020 for market leading freight forwarders such as Kuehne + Nagel, cargo-partner, DB Schenker, EKOL, Kombi Express, Ghibli/ CECZ and Yusen Logistics.

Celebi Ground Handling Hungary handles 90,000 tonnes of cargo per year at BUD and has invested in a two-phase infrastructure development plan in anticipation of air cargo growth at BUD.

"BUD's location is very attractive with its catchment area that expands both into eastern and western Europe," said Atilla Korkmazoglu, President, Ground Handling & Cargo, EMEA, Celebi Aviation Holding.

"We have implemented a two-phase construction plan in order to meet growing air cargo volumes at BUD, and phase one is already underway with a 22,000 m2 area that includes 12,000 m2 warehouse space, 1,600 m2 office and social areas, and 8,000 m2 manoeuvring and equipment parking areas, we will install a brand new ETV to increase the capacity for phase 2."

"At Celebi Ground Handling Hungary we are proud be part of the highly committed and professional environment of Budapest Airport."

In the last twelve months BUD has opened belly and freighter routes to China, and BUD Cargo City new routes are scheduled to open in 2020, continuing to strengthen ties with China and invest in the air cargo community.

"BUD airport has demonstrated that the team understands the value of cargo as a revenue stream, and their proactive approach to building an air cargo handling solution and community benefits their partners and the entire air cargo industry," said Robert Fordree, Executive Vice President - Cargo, Menzies Aviation.

"We will be bringing our global network to BUD creating new opportunities for consolidation and global deals, and our new warehousing and office facilities at BUD Cargo City will provide us with airside access which is a game-changer for our business in Hungary."

Over 400 guests from the Hungarian government and representatives from the local and international air cargo community gathered today for the official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of BUD Cargo City.

In line with the Airport Plan, Çelebi has upgraded freighter capacity with the new 35-ton high loader for access to dedicated areas for special cargo handling.

"We are confident that the new Cargo City will enable us to meet the expectations of our employees and Customers on a higher level via the better work environment and increased service level," added Korgmazoglu.

"We are looking to collaborate with all stakeholders to help future growth and reach Budapest's true air cargo potential."

Contributed by Budapest Airport