Hungary’s national carrier ceased operations, grounded all its flights and stranded more than 7,000 passengers. After its financial situation became unsustainable. Malev, the Hungarian flag carrier with a fleet of 22 aircraft, is in bankruptcy protection and desperately drawing up a restructuring plan in the hope of attracting an investor.

International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) is to fly back nine aircraft (737) leased by the collapsed Hungarian airline Malév to its base in Ireland.

Wizz Air plans a substantial 66% capacity boost in Hungary in 2012 as a response to the collapse of the country’s flag carrier Malév. Wizz Air offered discount fares for Malév passengers impacted by the suspension of Malév’s operations, offering re-routing alternatives to/from Budapest (17 routes in total).

EasyJet has joined Wizz Air by stepping with a rescue package for passengers affected by Malev suspending its flights. The UK budget carrier will offer passengers stranded at their destinations a special rescue fee of 60 euros to return home. The offer available to any Malev passenger due to travel inbound until midnight on February 9. EasyJet operates on three former Malev routes – London-Budapest, Paris-Budapest and Berlin-Budapest.

Ryanair has announced on Friday that it will base four new Boeing 737-800 series aircraft at Budapest Airport commencing in just two weeks time on 17 February where it will open 31 new routes.

Photo: Rob Vogelaar, Z.A.P.P.