After a long hiatus, an outbound charter flight has once again departed from Hévíz–Balaton Airport. The first passengers were able to watch the flight’s inaugural ceremony before boarding the charter flight to Antalya, organized by Itaka, Turizmus.com reported.
The new direct flight not only offers a more convenient and faster travel option for residents of the area, but also marks an important milestone for the local economy, tourism, and the region’s international accessibility. The flight offers residents of Western Transdanubia, the Balaton region, and the border regions a direct vacation option that eliminates the need to depart from Budapest.
Itaka’s first flight to Antalya departing from Hévíz–Balaton Airport is the first outbound charter flight in over ten years. There have been previous attempts to launch flights to other destinations, such as Corfu, Antalya, and Burgas, but in the end, only the inbound service organized by Salamon Reisen from Dresden, Germany, remained, said Attila Benkő, managing director of Hévíz–Balaton Airport, in response to our question.
The new flight departing from Hévíz-Balaton Airport is primarily intended for travelers for whom getting to the capital’s airport would be difficult and would involve additional travel costs and logistical challenges.
There are no crowds, check-in is quick and smooth, and the staff is calm and helpful even while strictly adhering to the rules. Turizmus.com spoke with several passengers before takeoff, who told us that, coming from Zalaegerszeg (western Hungary), there was no question they would choose this flight departing from Hévíz-Balaton once they decided to go on vacation.
Passengers board Itaka Hungary’s inaugural charter flight to Antalya, operated by Turkish carrier Tailwind Airlines, at Hévíz–Balaton Airport in Sármellék on June 13, 2026. Photo: MTI/Katona Tibor
“The Hévíz departure offers a truly convenient alternative for travelers in western Hungary. Until now, many people have departed for their vacations from Budapest, Bratislava, or Vienna, which often involved a journey of several hours, parking costs, and significant planning. In addition, Itaka passengers currently have access to free parking, Hungarian-language guided tours, and a 24-hour emergency hotline,” added Ferenc Csabai, Chief Operating Officer of Itaka Hungary.
The Boeing 734 aircraft operated by Tailwind Airlines on this route can carry 168 passengers.
Based on advance bookings, the first flight was already 35% full by the end of January, and although the geopolitical situation caused some slowdown, the first flight ultimately departed with a 99.5% load factor, which confirmed its viability, noted the Chief Operating Officer.
Photo: Pexels
Charter flights between Sármellék (western Hungary) and Antalya operate weekly, every Saturday through September 19.
It is expected that nearly 2,000 passengers will take advantage of the Hévíz departure during the summer season, which could lead to a significant increase in airport traffic.
The significance of these flights extends beyond tourism. An actively operating regional airport can have an impact on multiple sectors of the local economy: it can generate demand for parking, taxi, transfer, hospitality, and retail services, and directly support jobs in airport operations, ground handling, and security services.
Although the airport’s military past is still strongly felt when approaching from the access road, the new terminal’s modern building awaits passengers fully equipped. During the renovation, the building’s waiting areas were refurbished; one even features a well-equipped children’s corner, and an additional staircase was added, enabling the airport to serve 400 passengers at once.
“The Antalya charter flight is a milestone in the life of Hévíz–Balaton Airport, both symbolically and practically. After a long time, this is the first outbound charter flight that can open a new chapter in the airport’s development and the region’s air connections. The return of regular international charter traffic is an important confirmation that the airport is capable of handling international passenger flights and has all the necessary facilities to become a major charter hub for the western Hungarian region,” Benkő added.
The long-term goal of Hévíz–Balaton Airport is to gradually increase traffic, develop scheduled and charter flights, and enhance the region’s international accessibility.
Itaka also sees long-term potential in strengthening the role of regional departure points. According to the company, when planning its trip to Antalya, Hévíz–Balaton Airport was the starting point from the very beginning. The company’s primary goal is to serve the needs of the region’s travelers to a high standard. If the season’s results meet expectations, adding new destinations, increasing capacity, and even launching more flights could be on the agenda in the future.
Via Turizmus.com; Featured photo: MTI/Katona Tibor
