Turkey–Hungary Air Pact Poised to Boost Trade, Tourism With Major Expansion of Flight Rights

Increased frequencies of passenger and cargo flights will boost capacity, trade, and tourism, says Turkish transport minister

ANKARA — A landmark aviation agreement between Türkiye and Hungary is expected to expand trade, strengthen tourism, and deepen cultural and economic ties once it officially takes effect, Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said.

The deal eliminates long-standing frequency and destination limits, opening the door for Turkish airlines to ramp up flights to Hungary while allowing Hungarian and EU carriers to operate more routes into Türkiye under qualifying conditions.

Uraloğlu emphasized that the pact—finalized after roughly two and a half years of negotiations—marks Türkiye’s first air transport agreement with an EU member state in many years. Once approved by the Turkish parliament, it will replace a 1966-era air transport accord.

The signing took place during Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s official visit to Türkiye, part of a diplomatic push that produced 16 new cooperation agreements across cultural, economic, and foreign policy areas. Uraloğlu and Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó formally inked the aviation deal.

Under the first phase, weekly passenger flight rights will surge from 35 to 98, while cargo flight rights will double from seven to 14, Uraloğlu told Anadolu Agency.

The agreement caps years of aviation talks between Ankara and Budapest, concluding with a sweeping upgrade that significantly increases both passenger and freight capacity between the two countries.