With the shift to winter time, the new winter schedule has come into effect at the Budapest Airport, now offering access to nine additional cities from the Hungarian capital.

Budapest Airport, operated by VINCI Airports, has introduced nine new routes with its winter schedule taking effect on 27 October, the airport operator announced on Sunday.

Hungarian travellers can now choose from two new Spanish destinations: Gran Canaria, the third-largest yet arguably most popular island of the Canary Islands, and Bilbao, a unique blend of modernity and history, both now just a flight away from Budapest in the winter schedule. Direct flights to Gran Canaria are operated by Wizz Air, while Vueling provides flights to Bilbao in December.

Service to Paris is expanding: EasyJet’s four-weekly flights join Air France’s 21 weekly services. Thanks to Ryanair, travel to another popular French city, Toulouse, is also back on the map. With these two new flights Budapest has experienced the most significant increase in connections to France within Europe, with a 38 per cent rise in French destinations.

Italy-bound options have also seen substantial growth, with more destinations available this winter season than even to previous top-destination the United Kingdom, now totalling 13 Italian cities.

In addition to flights to Rome, Milan, Naples, Bari, Pisa, Catania, Bologna, Palermo, Venice, Cagliari, and Trieste, Wizz Air now offers flights to two coastal destinations, Genoa and Salerno.

For those keen to explore beyond Europe, Wizz Air’s flight to Marrakesh is an excellent choice. This Moroccan city at the base of the Atlas Mountains not only offers a warmer climate but is also known for its lively bazaars and beautiful mosques. Wizz Air is also introducing a new route to Memmingen in Germany, ideal for those looking to explore a less-touristed, yet vibrant city. Meanwhile, Ryanair offers flights to Warsaw, perfect for travellers looking to pair city sightseeing with historical walks.

Among the long-haul routes available in the summer season, Shanghai Airlines will continue daily service to Shanghai throughout the winter schedule, and Air China will operate four flights weekly to Beijing from late October, offering 25,000 additional seats compared to winter 2023.

‘This winter season, we are offering even more seats on our flights than last year, and our passengers have nine new routes to choose from, with destinations suitable for both short city breaks and longer excursions,’ said Budapest Airport CEO François Berisot. ‘Budapest’s popularity continues to grow significantly, and we anticipate many tourists visiting Hungary during the winter period. As the operators of Budapest Airport, it is our role to facilitate this growth by creating the necessary conditions, thereby supporting the strengthening of tourism’s economic significance.’

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