American Airlines’ Philadelphia-Budapest flights will operate daily and are all fully booked until July. László Szabó, Hungary’s ambassador to the US, said at the flight’s launch ceremony that currently around half a million American tourists visit Budapest annually, and the number is constantly rising.

“Budapest has had an excellent name in the US and the Hungarian government’s policy to protect security is much appreciated,” Szabó said.

“Budapest has by now become one of the most secure cities in Europe. American tourists clearly look for safe destinations.”

Direct flights from Hungary to the US also help businesses, Szabó said, noting that the US is Hungary’s largest trade partner outside of the EU.

Meanwhile, LOT’s Budapest-Chicago flight is to operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays. At the launch ceremony at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, Hungarian Consul-General Zita Bencsik said that the flight was a new example of the historic friendship between Hungary and Poland.

This past week, LOT also launched a direct flight between Budapest and New York.

Photo: bud.hu