📈 Budapest Traffic Baseline Higher by 758 Movements
Budapest recorded more business aviation activity than Warsaw in two consecutive full months and during the first 26 days of August. According to Avi-Go data, counting each takeoff and landing as one movement, Budapest Airport (LHBP) recorded 1,613 movements from June 1 to August 26, 2026, exceeding Warsaw Chopin Airport’s (EPWA) 855 movements by 758, or 88.7%. In June, LHBP recorded 584 movements versus 297 at EPWA, a difference of 287. In July, the two airports recorded 644 and 307 movements, respectively, widening the gap to 337. From August 1 to August 26, they recorded 385 and 251 movements, respectively, a difference of 134; however, the August data cover only the portion of the month through August 26. The takeoff and landing mix was broadly balanced: over the full period, LHBP recorded 808 takeoffs and 805 landings, while EPWA recorded 431 takeoffs and 424 landings, providing a clear, measured baseline for comparing ground-handling demand at the two airports.
Impact: LHBP’s higher serviceable traffic volume provides a larger business base for local FBOs to allocate staff shifts, ramp-support equipment, and commonly used aircraft materials. For ground handlers serving both Budapest and Warsaw, the movement gap sustained over three consecutive months also indicates that resources should not be allocated at the same scale in both locations.
Recommendation: Budapest FBOs should review staffing, towing equipment, and commonly used consumables turnover during peak periods based on the full-month levels of 584 movements in June and 644 movements in July. They should also continue monitoring the complete data for August 2026 to determine whether the gap with Warsaw persists.