Budapest Airport is helping to expand the modern Silk Road by signing agreements with two major Chinese cargo hubs at the “Belt and Road Forum” summit in Beijing.

The aim is to turn the Hungarian airport into a major distribution and logistics base for China’s central and eastern region.

The agreement was signed with Xi’an Xianyang International Airport and another partnership will be signed with Zhengzhou International Airport in May when a Chinese delegation is due to visit Budapest.

The document was signed by Wang Zhendong, deputy managing director of Xi’an airport and René Droese, chief property and cargo officer of Budapest Airport in the presence of Péter Szijjártó, minister of foreign affairs and trade.

Szijjártó says: “We are delighted that a cooperation agreement between the airport of Xi’an and Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport is signed, as this agreement may link additional Chinese cities to the network where direct flights are available from Hungary, from Budapest.”

The development of cargo and logistics fits the ministry of foreign affairs and trade’s aims to boost cooperation between China and Hungary.

The support of Hungarian diplomats and trade promotion experts has helped Budapest Airport to double capacity of direct cargo flights between Budapest, Hong Kong and Zhengzhou, and enhance belly cargo links on Air China passenger flights between Beijing and Budapest.

Jost Lammers, CEO of Budapest Airport says: “The foundation stone was laid with the direct connection to Zhengzhou, and now it is time to further intensify our cooperation with our new Chinese partners, and thus exploit the enormous potential in the freight business in particular. Zhengzhou, Xi’an and Budapest share a great dynamic of growth, and we are very confident that we can mutually benefit from this cooperation.”