Budapest 2024 chairman Balázs Fürjes has hailed a planned expansion of the Hungarian capital’s airport as a leap forward for the bid ©Budapest Airport

Budapest 2024 chairman Balázs Fürjes has hailed a planned expansion of the Hungarian capital’s airport as a “leap forward” for their bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games after the scheme was approved this week.

A new passenger terminal, due to cost around €160 million (£134 million/$178 million), will feature a significant increase in check-in desks, more parking spaces and state of the art security facilities.

The project will also include a direct rail link from the airport to Budapest city and a hotel to cater for passengers in transit.

The expansion of the airport, named after 19th Century Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, will be ready for use for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games should Budapest secure the hosting rights for the event.

The first phase is due to be completed in 2020 ahead of the UEFA European Championships, the first edition of the quadrennial tournament where venues across multiple cities on the continent will play host to matches.

The Ferenc Puskás Stadium is due to stage three group games and one round of 16 encounter during the competition.

The second wave of upgrades, which will include the construction of a new pier, a multi-level parking facility and expansion of the passenger plane apron area, is expected to be finished by 2024.

The full expansion of Budapest Airport is due to be completed by 2024 ©Getty Images
The full expansion of Budapest Airport is due to be completed by 2024 ©Getty Images

“This is a very important step forward for Budapest and for Hungary,” Fürjes said.

“It is a leap forward too for the Budapest 2024 Bid. 

“The new terminal and rail link to Budapest will be completed in time for the 2024 Games.

“This demonstrates our collective readiness to create a great spectator experience in Budapest at Games-time.

“We have a solid track record of building great facilities - from award-winning metro stations to outstanding new sports stadia - and our plans for the development of Budapest and for the hosting of the Games go hand in hand as we develop the infrastructure of the city.”

The expansion has been given the green light this week and it is hoped it will help the airport deal with an increase in passenger traffic.

Budapest 2024 included the plans in the first set of candidature files they handed over to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in February of this year.

Los Angeles, Paris and Rome are also bidding for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.

The IOC will elect its chosen host at its Session in Lima in September of next year.