It is unacceptable for passengers to be put in a vulnerable position at airports due to a lack of information, said the government spokesperson on the Kossuth Radio program „Sunday News.”
Eszter Vitályos added that those whose flights are delayed or canceled do not receive adequate information. The lack of information and the circumstances arising at the airport prompted the government to request interventions.
She stated that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán instructed Economic Minister Márton Nagy to contact Budapest Airport and Hungarocontrol Zrt. Budapest Airport has already established care zones, where more comfortable conditions, higher-backed chairs, resting places, drinking water, and storage facilities await the waiting passengers, and they also provide baby food and wipes for families with small children.
She continued: Airlines should strive to provide the highest quality services possible. The lack of information for passengers also stems from the fact that those involved in ground services are not employees of the airlines, so they do not want to take responsibility for delays. The Prime Minister and the Economic Minister requested that it should not happen that Hungarian families stand for hours without anyone attending to them.
She also mentioned that there are several reasons for flight delays: in summer, flights are more frequent, the airspace is busier, and the Russian-Ukrainian war also affects traffic. There are many flight delays and cancellations across Europe.
Eszter Vitályos answered affirmatively when asked if it is reasonable to expect airlines to adhere to the schedule, otherwise compensating passengers. She indicated that several consumer protection procedures are underway against airlines.
The government spokesperson also mentioned that the Economic Minister will negotiate with the Hungarian Mineral Oil Association and Mol Zrt. on Monday regarding fuel prices.
She reminded that according to the previous agreement between the association and the government, regional average prices must be maintained in Hungary, adding that it is unacceptable for Hungarians to pay higher prices than those living in neighboring countries.
She emphasized that the Central Statistical Office (KSH) publishes the regional average prices every Friday, and domestic prices must be adjusted accordingly by traders. In February and April, there were discussions with Mol and traders, and now it is seen that prices are a few forints higher – the government spokesperson noted.
If there was an agreement, and traders were able to adjust domestic prices to the regional average for weeks, then there must be a solution without government intervention – she stated.
She said that fuel prices are not high because of tax content, but „rather due to margins, and traders’ manipulation.”
Between February and April, there were wartime fuel prices, which the government managed to bring down. There are incidental costs that
„will stay with us as long as the war lasts, which is why it is in our interest for the war to end as soon as possible,”
said Eszter Vitályos.
