Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his delegation departed from Budapest to Washington on Thursday morning aboard a Wizz Air aircraft to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump. The unusual flight attracted attention not only politically but also financially: pilots’ estimates suggest the trip could have cost up to USD 500,000 – roughly HUF 160–170 million.
Chartered from Wizz Air – but not just any plane
The government chartered one of Wizz Air’s brand-new Airbus A321XLR aircraft for the journey. This model has a longer range than the airline’s previous planes, but Wizz Air does not hold the ETOPS certification required for transatlantic flights. As a result, Orbán’s plane had to make a stop at Keflavík Airport in Iceland, where it rested and refuelled for about two hours before continuing to the United States.
Neither Wizz Air nor the Hungarian government disclosed the exact cost of the charter or whether a market rate was paid. The Government Information Centre also declined to respond to press inquiries.
Experts calculate: USD 380,000 for fuel alone
According to pilots consulted by 24.hu, operating an Airbus A321XLR one way would cost roughly USD 190,000 in fuel. A return journey would therefore amount to USD 380,000. Additional expenses include airport handling, overflight fees, and accommodation and meals for the ten-member crew.
Taking all this into account, the total cost of the trip could reach USD 500,000.
For comparison, private jet rental company Call a Jet Kft. lists an hourly rate of EUR 18,000 for a similar-sized Airbus A320 luxury jet, suggesting the estimates are realistic.
Large delegation and pro-government influencers on board
Orbán’s entourage included not only government officials and advisers but also business figures and several pro-government influencers and media personnel. The government’s aim was to widely publicise the expected outcomes of the Trump meeting.
Telex reported that several well-known pro-government figures were on board, including Dániel Deák, Dániel Bohár, Miklós Szánthó, Mátyás Kohán, and Krisztián Lentulai. Many shared videos and posts about the flight on social media, which drew considerable attention domestically.
Icelandic stopover and U.S. business deals
During the stop in Iceland, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó shared a video announcing that the government plans to sign agreements with seven major U.S. companies by the end of the year, worth a total of HUF 100 billion, potentially creating hundreds of new jobs in Hungary.
The Prime Minister posted a group photo from the Washington airport on Saturday afternoon, Hungarian time, at 2:30 PM, with the caption “Heading home!” showing the government delegation smiling in Trump caps.
Has it not reported here several times- Orban has no friends. no-one else in Europe could get that kind of reception.
Its also been reported here at least 10 times he will be out office in less than year. Why would the deal be for more than year. Let Tiza and EU keep the heat on.moving the 8 US instalations is hungary is still on the table. Elon is also considering major investments here, especially now tgat he has a extra trillion to invest.
“….ir aircraft to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump”
This must be ‘fake news’ since President Trump is a current continent leader!
I could understand a refuel in Newfoundland & Labrador but why go so far north when South West is the destiantion? And since at some point the gov ‘t should issue budgetary info to its citizens, all other info by randome ppl is just hearsay.
Iceland is not a major detour when flying from Budapest to Washington due to the curvature of the earth; the ‘great circle route’ passes somewhat to the south of Iceland. The stop was necessary due to Wizz Air not holding ETOPS certification as they don’t undertake scheduled flights over large bodies of water. This means they cannot be more than a maximum number of minutes from a diversionary airport when flying over water, necessitating a route that takes them further north than the direct route generally flown by an airline when undertaking a scheduled flight. Malev also had to fly on a more northerly track when flying to New York and Toronto in the 1990s as they were considered an inexperienced operator of twin-engine aircraft flying across the Atlantic. As an airline acquires experience it’s ETOPS is extended, allowing them to fly further south on a more direct track, reducing fuel burn and shortening the scheduled flying time.