Hungary Blocked Budapest Airport From Emergency Covid-19 Funds

  • The airport was looking to get short-term loan from the EBRD
  • Allies of Viktor Orban have been trying to buy the airport

The departures terminal at Budapest Airport in May. Air traffic collapsed by more than 99% this spring.

Photographer: Akos Stiller/Bloomberg
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The Hungarian government blocked Budapest Airport from accessing emergency Covid-19 funding, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Due to a dramatic drop in air traffic related to the coronavirus pandemic, the airport had applied for a 50 million-euro ($58 million) short-term loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development through its “Solidarity Package” program.