It is impossible to overstate the many emotions that this airport conjured up in those who went there: excitement, anticipation and fear; but most of all fear: fear that at the last moment you would be prevented from leaving the country.
Travel out of Hungary was possible though there were a number of hurdles to be overcome:
1. Tourist passports & visas were officially granted just once ( for 30 days) in three years. This was because in
order to travel you would need 'hard' (exchangeable) currency. Hungary had a very limited supply of this.
2. The amount of money you could exchange officially was inadequate. This meant you had to find people to
exchange with on the black market.
3. If you could get an invitation letter from someone abroad which stated they would cover all your costs while
you were there, you could travel more often, but even then, you would need some spending money. And if the
invitation letter had been supplied by an obliging stranger, and you'd actually be covering all your own
expenses, you would need to buy even more hard currency!
4. It was illegal to have a foreign bank account or to be in possession of hard currency. Checks of luggage and
even your handbag were unavoidable when checking in to leave. If money or a bank card was found, you
would more than likely have your passport revoked and be taken off the flight. (This law also covered
foreigners resident in Hungary)
5. Finally - you had no rights whatsoever. You could be told you were not permitted to fly for any reason at all -
no explanation given.
1. Tourist passports & visas were officially granted just once ( for 30 days) in three years. This was because in
order to travel you would need 'hard' (exchangeable) currency. Hungary had a very limited supply of this.
2. The amount of money you could exchange officially was inadequate. This meant you had to find people to
exchange with on the black market.
3. If you could get an invitation letter from someone abroad which stated they would cover all your costs while
you were there, you could travel more often, but even then, you would need some spending money. And if the
invitation letter had been supplied by an obliging stranger, and you'd actually be covering all your own
expenses, you would need to buy even more hard currency!
4. It was illegal to have a foreign bank account or to be in possession of hard currency. Checks of luggage and
even your handbag were unavoidable when checking in to leave. If money or a bank card was found, you
would more than likely have your passport revoked and be taken off the flight. (This law also covered
foreigners resident in Hungary)
5. Finally - you had no rights whatsoever. You could be told you were not permitted to fly for any reason at all -
no explanation given.
A fast road was built in 1943 to connect the city with Ferihegy - this was constructed more to ensure an unobstructed journey for dignitaries to and from the airport, rather than with any consideration for ordinary passengers! This is essentially the same road we all use today - not the most scenic first impression of the city.
In the 70s and 80s there were very few flights to or from Hungary - maybe half a dozen a day.
In the 70s and 80s there were very few flights to or from Hungary - maybe half a dozen a day.
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