Budapest, 15 July 2005 - reconstruction of Ferihegy Terminal 1 has been accomplished by deadline and its technical opening was held yesterday. The oldest terminal of Budapest has revived – and allows handling of 2.5 million passengers a year in a modern but mellow old environment.
The total reconstruction of Ferihegy Terminal 1 has been accomplished by the deadline of 15 July 2005. Demolition works were commenced on 19 October 2004. During the construction the building contractor disposed several ten thousand cubic metres of debris as well as reinforced and reconstructed the building by a steel structure of several hundred tons. By this reconstruction, the building service engineering and electric systems of the building, the connecting public utility conduits, and the air-conditioning were all renewed.
"We worked every day without break with more than five hundred people but the sight speaks for itself " - said bravely István Hollós, Deputy Director of Magyar Építő Rt. in charge of construction referring to the fact that the monument of an area of nearly 24 thousand square metres was reconstructed during a record period of time, nine months.
The reconstruction of the modernist-style building protected as a monument was assisted by many people. "When designing, we had to create as large passenger traffic area as possible, however, we had to preserve the original special atmosphere of the building. It was a tremendous task, however, a good challenge for us" - said Ervin Jaklics, chief designer of the construction.
"We have researched all archive photos and restored everything according to its original state. Similarity is breath-taking. As if we had gone back in time, nevertheless, tradition and modernness is in conformity." - said Zsolt Szécsi, Director of ÁMRK, chief monument designer of the construction.
Subsequent to technical acceptance of the Terminal, Budapest Airport will take the building in possession again and systems and equipment will be tested, as necessary. The parking space in front of the terminal will also be renewed. In the first stage, a parking space of 300 parking lots will be built corresponding to the original state and, simultaneously, it will also be extended.
The Terminal will be opened for passenger traffic on 1 September. "I am proud we have implemented such a complex project but we must not stop here. Reconstruction of Terminal 1 is only the first station of the long-term development of Ferihegy, necessitated by an increase in passenger traffic above the average. The development program commenced should be continued in order that Budapest Ferihegy could become the most dynamically developing airport of Central-Eastern Europe" - said János Hárskuti, Chief Executive Officer of Budapest Airport Rt.
Further information:
Ibolya Fórika, Director Corporate Communication
Budapest Airport Rt.
296-5304
+36-30-555-9184
www.bud.hu