Budapest Ferihegy Airport introduces passport-free travel

Budapest’s Ferihegy Airport will begin permitting passengers traveling within the European Union’s Schengen zone to fly without any passport or customs checks, as of March 30^th, 2008. This means that those arriving from countries which have accepted the Schengen Agreement will be able to proceed through a separate corridor, allowing them to bypass all passport and customs controls. Domokos Szollár, Budapest Airport’s spokesperon, told journalists that the airport will soon demolish the booths that had been used by border guards, in order to free up more space for security gates.

A major change to take effect at the airport is that as of March 30th, 2008, all flights from within the Schengen zone will arrive and depart from Ferihegy Terminal 2A, while those from outside of this zone (including the United Kingdom, Ireland, as well as all non-EU countries) will now be served by Terminal 2B. This is a major change from the way in which the airport has traditionally worked, since T-2A in the past served as the home of all flights operated by Malév Hungarian Airlines. At T 2B, passengers should expect fairly strict passport controls to continue. Additionally, those flying with discount, low-cost airlines will continue to arrive to Ferihegy Terminal 1, which will have the ability to serve all passengers, including those from within and outside of the Schengen zone.

Budapest Airport, the privately-owned company that operates Ferihegy International, has reportedly spent more than 100 million forints ($5.8 million) on the restructuring and reorganizing of the airport, in order to facilitate passport-free travel and other Schengen requirements. At T-1, a glass wall will divide those passengers arriving from countries where passport checks will no longer be required after landing in Hungary from all those who will still have their travel document verified by Hungarian authorities. In 2007, 52 percent of all those passing through T-2A and T-2B were traveling within the Schengen zone.

www.bud.hu