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Taszar Airport

The 524 hectare area of the airport, together with all its facilities, which were the property of the Hungarian state, was taken over by the Somogy County and the Taszár government, because the Hungarian Air Force permanently left the airport and the barracks by the end of 2005. The local governments of Somogy County, and the village of Taszár, are planning to develop the airport, and to this end they are seeking investors with whom they can cooperate to create an international logistics base; which has an airfield at its disposal.

The construction work of Taszár Airbase started in 1928, the opening was held on September 1, 1929. In 1942, renewal work was started to make the airfield suitable for serving new aircraft types, including bombers. During WW II, the German Air Force carried out a few operations in Taszár; finally, in late 1944 the German troops destroyed the hangars. The Russians brought the airfield into an acceptable condition.

The present airbase was built between 1949 and 1950. The organization and weaponry of the wing has been reformed several times, the task, however, has remained the same: the defense of Hungary's south-western airspace.

By the decree filed on November 28 1995, the Parliament assented to the IFOR units marching through and stationing in Hungary on their mission to contribute to the settlement of the Balkan crisis. The Hungarian Defense Force helped IFOR activities by handing over Taszár Airbase facilities to request, suspending flight drills and limiting the wing's peace operation. On December 8 1995, following the order of the commander of the Hungarian Defense Force, the relocation of the wings' aircrafts to Pápa Airbase was started. Also by the commander's order, in 1997, as its legal successor, the Hungarian Defense Force Kapos Airbase was established.

Ten of the air traffic control service staff, as a result of the joint training with the USAF air traffic control service, have received knowledge for individual or joint SFOR service. The meteorological services needed for SFOR flight missions are entirely the responsibilities of Kapos Airbase meteorology team. The firefighters took part in courses organized by the USAF and Brown & Root fire security experts, where they learnt the methods used in the US Army, and mastered the application of the equipment. The staff is qualified for rescuing persons and the recovery of goods from C-5, C-130, A-10, F-16 and F-18 aircrafts. On the drills organized by the US Air Force, 26 people were qualified for security guarding USAF and Hungarian aircrafts. Twenty-seven were given training on performing security service according to MP rules and carrying out fast reaction tasks.

After the overall successful peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Kosovo, in a ceremony on June 30, 2004, the U.S. flag was lowered as the American presence there came to an end. After the US force left the base, the Hungarian government hoped to continue joint use with NATO. Unfortunately, this conception did not happen. Primarily due to budget constraints, the Hungarian government chose to only continue operating the Kecskemét airport and the Pápa airport. On December 31st 2005 the Hungarian military will leave Taszár Airport. In the center of Hungary's South-Western region, 175 km from Budapest, 55 km from the M7 and Lake Balaton, inside Somogy County is the city of Kaposvár with 69,000 inhabitants. Some 11 km to the East, is the village of Taszár, which is 60 km from the Croatian border, with a unique airport.

Located in Somogy County in Southwest Hungary, partially in the city of Taszár, 11 km from the county's capital Kaposvár, the airport is on 524 hectares with 92 buildings serving various different airport functions (totalling 28,056m2), and the barracks is on 17 hectares with 49 single-story and multi-story buildings. The two areas have independent functions and are individually fenced off. Most of the buildings located on the airport site are used for storage, and as workshops. Additionally there is a firestation, air traffic control tower, 2 hangers (totaling 4,000m2), a canteen, and office buildings.

Among all Hungarian civil airports - except for Budapest's Ferihegy International Airport - the Taszár Airbase is the most suitable for use as a large airport. The runways' condition, size and load capacity makes it suitable for almost all types of larger passenger and cargo planes. Particularly with Runway #1 and the taxi lanes it is possible for service of many planes at the same time. Given that the airport is currently functional, the airport would be able to continue operating as a civil airport. There are existing infrastructures such as the fuel storage sites, fuelling stations and railway tracks, which could continue being used. The railway tracks offer a distinct advantage in the operation of the airport. In addition to the fuel loading station, there are two ramps that assure the fast on/off loading of cargo. The rail tracks connect to the Nagykanizsa - Dombóvár main line.

The airport consists of two runways. Runway #1 is asphalt and is 2600m long, by 70m wide, which can not handle the larger type aircrafts takeoff and landing, and is currently used for aircraft parking. Runway #2 is concrete in excellent condition and is 2500m long, by 60 m wide, with a load rating of PCN 74/R/B/Y/T. It is usable by even the largest aircraft. Connecting the 2 runways are 4 taxiways all with a load rating of PCN/72/R/C/Y/T: "A" - 19.5m wide, "B" - 19.5m wide, "C" - 23m wide, and "D" - 19m wide.

At the southeast corner of the airport, on 7.2 hectares, is a newly built passenger terminal and sector, which connects directly to the road 61. It is owned by Somogy County, Kaposvár and Taszár government.

The most feasible future usage of this airport would be as a cargo and logistics center for the region, and also for the surrounding areas. In order to make this even more feasible on a more international level, it could be possible to also create a free trade zone at the airport for the further development. Land based shipment will be by the presently already existing rail system, and by the highway system, which is partially complete and under development by the government.

Thanks to the regions endowments, certain air passenger traffic can be assumed, and along with its potential for expanded tourism and industry, one can count on even further rapid developments. The passenger terminal can be developed on the basis of the newly constructed terminal where the civil sector can be further developed according to needs. Many of the professional airport staff (air controllers, grounds maintenance, airplane maintenance, etc.) who have worked at the airport until now are settled in the area. The next operator of the airport would be able to employ these local specialists.