Budapest Airport recognises retail partners of distinction following another record-breaking year

Budapest Airport hosted its 9^th Annual Awards Ceremony on 4 February in the grandiose Terminal 1 Event Center. Around 300 guests gathered to recognise the success of the airport’s closely-held business partners, not only during another record-breaking year in 2015, but also over the past decade. Having smashed the 10 million passenger traffic threshold, Budapest also recorded a remarkable 17% increase in retail and F&B transactions last year, meaning the evening was a chance to honour and thank business partners who have played a hugely important role in the enhancement of Budapest’s commercial development.

A few words from the winners:

Szamos – Attila Földes, CEO, Vanília Cukrász: “Our passion has always been to ensure that every one of our customers leaves Budapest with a unique and hand-made reminder of Hungary, the airport gives us the ideal platform to achieve our goals. To receive such an accolade as this award, when realising our vision, is a great honour indeed.”

Leroy – Katalin Trepka, Restaurant Manager: “Being part of the growth and success of Budapest Airport throughout 2015 resulted in a fantastic year for Leroy. We have always worked closely with the airport, which has allowed us to advance our selection of the diversified, high quality food that we are renowned for. I’d like to thank the team at Budapest Airport for this wonderful recognition.”

The future of BUD:Retail

Following a successful tender process in 2015, Budapest’s SkyCourt, the flagship retail and F&B shopping centre at the airport, will see the role of luxury brands enhanced, adding quality and versatility to the shopping and dining experience at the airport. As part of the retail review the first half of the year will see the opening of a new multi-brand fashion accessories store, operated by Heinemann Duty Free Hungary, which will be joined by Desigual, Tommy Hilfiger, and 7camicie, as well as two new F&B concepts; O’Leary’s sports bar and grill, and the fine food concept, Tashba.

Meanwhile, other long-standing partners, including Relay and SSP, are both upgrading and refurbishing their high profile commercial locations in the central airside market-place at the Hungarian capital city airport.

“With a best-ever 2015 under our belt, we are now looking forward to a step- up in the commercial offering at Budapest. By this summer all of our new shops and F&B concepts will be complete, along with the refurbishment of some of our established stores,” commented Patrick Bohl, Head of Retail and Advertising, at the awards ceremony. “This is the perfect opportunity to thank our outstanding partners who have played a starring role in the growth of our dynamic airport, ensuring Budapest Airport’s travellers have exceptional choice and value for money.”