The airline returned to Budapest after a five year break, chairman Juri Mirosnikov said. It is a lucky coincidence that the visa requirement between Ukraine and the European Union was phased out just a week earlier, Ukrainian ambassador to Hungary Liubov Nepop said.

We are delighted to welcome Ukraine International Airlines’ daily service which will enhance the choice for both Hungarian and Ukrainian travellers on the Kiev-Budapest route,” said Jost Lammers, CEO, Budapest Airport.

He added: “Budapest and Kiev are wonderful destinations for city breaks, both capital cities having rich cultural heritage. While travellers from the Ukraine can benefit from more than 110 destinations available in our route network, Hungarian travellers can now transfer from Kiev to Bangkok, Amman, Tehran, Almaty, as well as reaching Odessa, Lviv and Kharkiv, all through the domestic network of Ukraine International Airlines.”

While the Hungarian gateway has not directly served Ukraine’s largest airport since 2012, Budapest experienced a significant 24% jump in Ukrainian visitors last year, recording more than 10,000 indirect passengers from the Eastern European country.

Arrival in the market gives Ukraine International an immediate 50% share of all Ukrainian flights and seats from Budapest. With the restoration of the Kiev Boryspil link, the capital city airport will now offer more than 2,500 weekly seats to the Ukraine, complementing existing services to Kiev Zhulyany.

MTI Photo

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.