Press release For immediate release
Source: Malév Hungarian Airlines Budapest, 3 February 2012
Further information: Márta Róna, Director of Communications – Mobile: +3670/314-3245 – E-mail: rona.marta@malev.hu
6 am 03 February 2012 – Malév ceases its operation
Based on the Board of Directors’ decisionHungary’s National Airline ceased its operation to minimize its losses.According to this statement, after nearly 66 years of continuous operation,Malév aircrafts will not depart from 6 am 03 February.
“Unfortunately, theevent occurred which we had a greatest fear of and we wanted to avoid withmight and main. Although, until the latter days there were prospects tocontinue operation and the trust of our passengers is unbroken, our partnerslost their trust due to the information published in the last days and theystarted to ask for payment of their services in advance. This speeded up thecash outflow and the situation of the airline became untenable. It is alsoknown that the owner, despite the best intentions, is unable to provideadditional financial resources to operate after the EU decision. Consideringall these the Board decided to order the cease of operation of the Hungary’sNational Airline. We apologize to all of our passengers.” - announced CEOLoránt Limburger.
The Call Centre informs the Airline’s passengers aboutthe way how they can get to their destinations and the possibilities ofcompensation.
Passengers entitledto rerouting
According to the government regulation which enteredinto force on 31st January 2012, assistance can be provided to those passengerswho purchased their valid tickets before Malév cease and whose travel dates areon the suspension day or on the following three calendar days. In addition, tothose who already travelled to their destination on the suspension day orbefore and posses valid return tickets on Malév flights on a date not laterthan 29th February 2012. Those who are entitled are going to have assistancefrom Malév by rerouting their tickets to other flights or other modes oftransportation.