László Palkovics, Minister of Innovation and Technology, has said the cities of Békéscsaba and Gyula, in south-eastern Hungary, are poised to become the centers of aircraft manufacturing in the country's defense industry.
Minister Palkovics inspected the Airbus plant under construction in Gyula and held talks on vocational education and the upgrade of the airport in Békéscsaba. He told a briefing that the Airbus factory’s success was dependent on the development of the Békéscsaba airport. Also, Hungary must make sure that its education system has instructors with the required knowledge in aeronautics. He added that the country must also develop its training equipment and convince Hungarian industry experts working abroad to return home.
The government last year allocated HUF 154 million (EUR 429,000) for the upgrade of the Békéscsaba airport. MTI reports that talks are ongoing on potentially extending the runway by 1,800 or 2,500 meters. Construction is expected to get under way next year. The airport must be able to handle both business and cargo flights.
The minister also visited a vocational training center in Békéscsaba where construction on a HUF 2.2 billion metal industry training center and advanced measurement technology and materials testing lab began this month.
Photo credit: MTI