Wages increased by more than 55% on average at Budapest Airport’s BUD Group in two years

Posted: 24 April 2024 | International Airport Review | No comments yet

From the beginning of March, the employees of Budapest Airport, BUD Security Kft. and RÜK Kft. receive an average wage increase of 15.5% compared to last year. In the last two years, starting in February 2022, the basic wage of BUD Group employees has thus increased by 55%, supplemented by a bonus scheme, a Christmas bonus and a work commute allowance.

Budapest Airport’s employee well care

It is important for the management of Budapest Airport to be able to support the financial stability of its employees, even in the difficult economic conditions and the high inflation of recent years. To this end, the company continuously monitors the economic situation in Hungary and, in view of the level of inflation, has increased wages on four occasions over the past two years. In March 2022, salaries at the group were increased by an average of 13% (15% for certain positions), and in October 2023, a further 10%, bringing a part of next year’s increase forward. In March 2023, the airport operator implemented the second part of the wage increase, which entailed a further 7% increase. This year’s one-off wage increase, averaging 15.5% , took effect in March, with the first increased wages arriving in early April. Overall, the wage increases over the past two years mean that on average, BUD group staff are earning 55% more from March this year than in February 2022.

As part of this year’s pay rise package, the Christmas bonus and, for some positions, the bonus will be increased further. The work commute allowance will continue to be provided by Budapest Airport: those traveling to work by car from outside Budapest are entitled to a subsidy of 20 HUF per km, while those living within the administrative boundaries of Budapest are entitled to a gross monthly travel allowance of 14 286 HUF, the net amount of which exceeds the price of the monthly public transport pass or covers the cost of the pest county pass. For those commuting from outside the administrative boundaries of the city by train or bus, the statutory rate of an 86% reimbursement is paid.

Supporting families 

Budapest Airport also supports families. According to the law, fathers are entitled to 10 working days of leave upon the birth of a child, but only 40% of the absentee pay is due beyond five days. The company supplements this 40% absentee pay to 100 percent, continuing the practice of recent years.

“The entire aviation industry, including Budapest Airport, has faced unprecedented challenges in recent years. It is also the merit of our employees and the airport community that we have been able to overcome these obstacles and ensure not only the seamless operation of the airport, but also that in 2023, we were named the best airport in Europe,” emphasised Zsuzsa Zahorán-Pirisi, Chief Human Resources Officer for Budapest Airport. She added: “By offering above-average pay and benefits, we want to recognise the dedication and perseverance of our colleagues. We also care about their health and mental well-being: we support them with screenings, insurance and other activities, as it is important to us that we can count on the airport community in the long term, just as our employees can count on the company.”