Ryanair to open base in Budapest

Ryanair is to base four new Boeing 737-800 series aircraft in Budapest Airport opening up 31 routes out of the Hungarian capital in response to yesterday’s collapse of Malev Airlines.

As Irish passengers stranded in Budapest eke out alternative routes home this weekend, Ryanair was quick to announce an open recruitment day in the city next Tuesday, inviting job applications from now redundant Malev pilots, cabin crew and engineers.

Ryanair employs more than 700 Hungarian pilots and cabin crew. About 2m passengers use Budapest Airport every year, while Ryanair believes the facility could support 2,000 jobs.