In 2025, Budapest's Ferenc Liszt International Airport handled 426,519 tons of cargo, marking a remarkable 42.3% growth compared to the previous year. This dramatic increase follows a 49% rise in cargo traffic in 2024, highlighting the airport's rapid development in the competitive aviation sector. The trend underscores Budapest's emergence as one of the fastest growing transit hubs in Central and Eastern Europe, especially in comparison to major airports in the region.

By comparison, Warsaw's Frederic Chopin Airport managed 137,000 tons of cargo in 2025, signifying a 17% increase from 2024, consolidating its position within the regional cargo market. Meanwhile, Václav Havel Airport in Prague processed 98,000 tons in the same timeframe, showing a modest increase of around 3%. These figures illustrate the varying dynamics of cargo growth among Central European airports, with Budapest notably leading the pack.

Industry analysts, including Ilona Gizińska from the Marek Karp Center for Eastern Studies, emphasize Budapest's strengthened role as a regional air cargo leader, approaching the performance of established airports in Munich and Vienna. There are calls from the aviation sector for the European Commission to find a balance between competitiveness and operational capabilities, as airports strive to adapt to changing market demands and seize opportunities for growth.