Budapest Airport is looking to become a key cargo player within central and eastern Europe and has joined The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) as a trustee member.

József Kossuth, head of cargo at the Hungarian air hub, said the new cooperation will allow them to do great things in cargo digitization, cargo processes and organisation, technology upgrades, regulatory environment and other cargo developments.

The airport invested €50 million and opened its cargo terminal BUD Cargo City in 2020, but according to René Droese, chief development officer at Budapest Airport, “successfully and responsibly with air cargo needs more than just infrastructure upgrades.”

Also read: Record-breaking streak continues at Budapest Airport

“You have to think comprehensively ‘in systems’ and be aware of your cargo’s role and its part of the larger environment from many points of view. Cargo at your airport is an important part of the local, regional, and global systems of transport: logistics, economy, society, and environmental aspects,” noted Droese.

Since 2015, the airport has more than doubled its cargo volume. Banking on the strength of a solid cargo community, it handled 183,000 tonnes last year, up 36 percent when compared to 2020.