Regular cargo flights began between Budapest and Doha this month as Qatar Airways Cargo launched new routes between the Qatari capital and Central and Eastern Europe. The first flight to land in Budapest opened a twice-weekly service, on Thursdays and Sundays.
The airline’s brand-new Airbus A330-200F has a payload of 62-68 tons and is described by Budapest Airport management as a unique opportunity for Hungarian industries to reach out to customers globally through the international network of Qatar Cargo. The plane is flying from Budapest to Prague en route to Doha.
The direct connection between Hungary and Qatar provides a noteworthy commercial link between Central and Eastern Europe and the Persian Gulf, and, through Doha via Qatar Airways’ extensive route network towards South-East Asia and Australia as well.
Airport officials say it is a significant development both for industry and for export and import traffic in Hungary and the region, since transporting goods to the most rapidly developing regions of the world will now be easier and quicker.
“It is a great honour that Qatar Airways Cargo has launched this flight and we are certain it will give a huge boost to our cargo development,” said René Droese, property director of Budapest Airport, upon the arrival of the first flight. “We are delighted that another important commercial connection has been established between Budapest and the Persian Gulf region.”
Droese said Budapest Airport handled 5800 cargo flights and 91,500 tons of goods last year, a 6.4% increase over 2014 and an outstanding achievement in the European market. The airport serves the robust Hungarian electronic, fine machinery, automotive, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries with its increasing international connectivity for these export-oriented businesses, he said.
