Summer in Budapest: Euro Jet Ready to Support Grand Prix and Sziget Flights

After successfully supporting flights for the Champions League Final at the end of May, Euro Jet’s Budapest team is preparing for another busy summer in Hungary. Two of the country’s biggest international events are just around the corner: the Hungarian Grand Prix, taking place from July 24-26 at the Hungaroring, and the Sziget Festival, held from August 11-15 on Budapest’s Obuda Island.  

Euro Jet is ready to support operators flying to Budapest throughout the summer season, offering a wide range of services on the ground, backed by local expertise and 24/7 operational assistance. Our article also includes an interview with Country Manager Peter Pazurek, who shares insights from the recent Champions League Final operation and offers advice for the busy months ahead.

Full Ground Support from the Local Team

At Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (LHBP/BUD), Euro Jet’s on-the-ground support is provided by Country Manager for Hungary Peter Pazurek and Ground Service Coordinators Akos Gotz, Nikoletta Szucs, and Peter Kiss. The team works closely with operators, crews, and local partners to coordinate every detail of the flight operation after arrival and before departure in Budapest.

Their assistance covers ground handling, fuel, permits, catering, ground transportation, and crew accommodation. The local operation is complemented by Euro Jet’s 24/7 Operations Control Center, giving customers continuous support and a point of contact throughout the process.

Earlier this year, Euro Jet also opened a new crew office at Budapest Airport. This private space offers crews a quiet place to rest or work between flights. It includes a fully equipped workstation, comfortable seating, and a selection of beverages. Like all Euro Jet lounges, it is complimentary.

One-Stop Shop for Grand Prix and Sziget Flights

The Hungarian Grand Prix and Sziget Festival are among Budapest’s busiest summer events, bringing increased traffic to Budapest Airport and requiring careful coordination on the ground.

Euro Jet’s Budapest team has extensive experience supporting high-profile events in Hungary, including the recent Champions League Final. During this operation, the team supported hundreds of flight movements for five consecutive days, following months of preparation and close coordination with all partners involved. With the Grand Prix and Sziget ahead, Euro Jet is again ready to serve as a one-stop shop for operators flying to Budapest.

To look back at the Champions League Final, we spoke with Peter Pazurek and discussed what goes into preparing for major events in Budapest. We also asked him for practical advice for the summer season and what operators should keep in mind when planning flights for the Grand Prix and Sziget.

Summer in Budapest with Peter Pazurek

Peter, the Champions League Final was a major operation for the Budapest team. Looking back, what are you most proud of from those five days?

What I am most proud of is the team. Everyone worked tirelessly throughout the entire period, and the expertise, perseverance, and commitment of my colleagues Niki, Peter, and Akos made me truly proud.

I have been in this industry for a long time, and I can say that we had never experienced traffic at this level before. We were also joined by colleagues from other airports, which was a great example of teamwork within Euro Jet. Even though we work in different countries, during this event we came together as one team.

The support we received from across the company, including Operations, Sales, IT, Management, and others, also meant a lot. It was not only operational support, but also human support, and that helped make this event an important milestone for Euro Jet.

It took several weeks to plan for the Champions League Final weekend. How did you organize the preparations, bring in additional support, and make sure everyone was ready for such an intense operation?

The preparation actually started several months in advance. For an operation of this size, accurate and detailed planning is essential, because it helps the team anticipate different scenarios and manage the traffic more effectively when the event begins.

Once we had a clearer picture of the expected traffic, we coordinated with Budapest Airport and also discussed possible options with surrounding airports in Hungary. At the same time, our Ops team played a key role in processing PPR and slot requests, making sure applications were submitted accurately and on time.

We also received great support from colleagues across different departments and locations, who came together to help with the operation in Budapest. One moment that stayed with me was seeing our CEO Charlie Bodnar step in personally at the counter to welcome and direct passengers. He was there as part of the team, helping make sure each passenger reached the right aircraft.

The team supported hundreds of flights in a very short time. What were the biggest operational challenges, and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge was time. At certain moments, many aircraft were parked at different points of the airport at the same time, and each one needed to be serviced professionally and without delay.

Even with good organization and a proper airport routine, it was not easy to manage such a high volume of traffic. In this kind of operation, preparation and teamwork are absolutely essential.

Looking ahead to the summer, especially the Hungarian Grand Prix and Sziget Festival, what are the most important operational updates operators and customers should be aware of?

These are two very different events, and each brings different operational challenges. The Grand Prix is similar to the Champions League Final in the sense that many aircraft arrive within a short period of time, and after the race, many departures are expected around the same time. This requires close coordination between the airport, our Operations team, service providers, and handlers.

The Sziget Festival is different in that performers often travel with a large amount of luggage and equipment. On departure, for example, the luggage needs to be screened and delivered to the aircraft in good time, before the passengers arrive.

For operators and customers, the most important thing is to provide accurate information before arrival, especially regarding the number of bags and packages. Planning ahead, booking all required services in advance, and avoiding last-minute changes makes the entire process more efficient for everyone involved.

What practical advice do you have for customers planning flights to Budapest this summer, especially regarding ground service orders, fuel, catering, and accommodation?

My main advice is to send all service requests as early as possible, including catering, passenger and crew transportation, accommodation, and any other required arrangements. During major event periods, hotel and transport options are limited, so early planning gives us the best chance to secure what customers need.

For the Grand Prix, catering orders should be placed well in advance, and changes cannot be made within 24 hours before delivery. Operators should also be prepared for possible longer waiting times for fuel uplifts due to the high level of traffic.

We are looking forward to the summer season in Budapest and to supporting our customers during these busy events.

Images: Euro Jet Archive, Shutterstock, Sziget