René Droese joined Budapest Airport in 2007, and since May 2023, he has been the Chief Development Officer and Deputy CEO of the company. He is responsible for all airport developments, including passenger and cargo facilities, the airport masterplan and property developments of commercial real estate. Under his responsibility, BUD set up a CAPEX program to increase passenger terminal capacities up to 30 million passengers, by constructing new passenger terminal facilities, including major landside and airside developments. He already developed many tailor-made properties, including the new Cargo City, MRO facilities, offices, hotels and logistic facilities for various express companies. He is also in charge of BUD’s cargo business development, with the mission to develop BUD as a major cargo hub in the CEE region. Combined with the €50 million Cargo City project, BUD increased the cargo volume handled at the airport by 45% in three years and was recognized in 2022 as the Cargo Hub of the Year at the Air Cargo News Awards.
