Budapest Airport talks collapse

Talks between striking unions and Budapest Airport broke down today and the airport operator said longer delays were expected later following relative calm in the morning.

Two unions at Budapest Airport, a unit of Germany's Hochtief, started an indefinite strike on Wednesday over demands for improved labour conditions, a new collective agreement and a halt to layoffs.

Talks to resolve the standoff collapsed today. In a statement the unions said they saw no chance for a resolution with the airport operator, which failed to adequately address either of their demands.

Budapest Airport said on its website it had agreed to continue talks with unions at 11 a.m. (Malta time) tomorrow. A spokesman for the airport was not immediately available for comment.

Hungarian airline Malev said on its website it had cancelled 10 flights scheduled for today.

The airport operator said morning flights took off with minor delays of about 20-25 minutes. But, it added longer delays were expected in the afternoon and advised passengers to arrive at the airport three hours before departure.

Separately, railway workers' union VDSZSZ went on an indefinite strike today in eastern Hungary to demand higher wages and a one-off bonus from the sale of state railway firm MAV's freight unit.

News agency MTI reported the strike affected just 12 percent of national rail services in the morning. However, it said the union planned to extend the action to all lines from 6 p.m. (Malta time).