Business news

2 May 2019

Negotiations in progress for Hungarian low-cost air carrier to offer flights from Grodno

GRODNO, 2 May (BelTA) – Work is in progress to organize flights of the Hungarian low-cost air carrier Wizz Air from the airport in Grodno. The plans were mentioned as Grodno Oblast Governor Vladimir Kravtsov met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary to Belarus Zsolt Csutora on 2 May, BelTA has learned.

It was the first time the Hungarian ambassador had visited Grodno Oblast. He noted that he keeps in mind all possibilities for advancing the bilateral relations – cooperation in economy, manufacturing sector, trade, culture, and tourism. “There are concrete plans, too. For instance, negotiations are now in progress on arranging flights of the Hungarian air carrier Wizz Air from the Grodno airport. We see there is mutual interest,” Zsolt Csutora noted. He stressed that Grodno may become an attractive tourism destination.

“Moreover, we share some common history. I am primarily talking about King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Stephen Bathory, who was a significant historical figure for Hungary, too. A royal castle in Grodno is being restored. There are his residences in our country, too. Such ties could become the starting point in establishing cooperation,” the ambassador said. The Hungarian side is ready to contribute to the castle’s restoration.

Vladimir Kravtsov noted that the ability to visit Grodno District and Svisloch District without visas represents another opportunity for the development of tourism and for bringing in more guests. The visa-free travel zone is supposed to grow larger soon. The measure will increase the region’s tourism potential even more.

The sides also discussed other avenues of cooperation. “Hungary’s share in the region’s trade turnover is small for now, however, there is potential for increasing it,” Vladimir Kravtsov added. In particular, cooperation in logistics, production of fertilizers, cooperation in food industry look promising.