malev

Malev, commonly written Malév, was the flag carrier and national airline of Hungary from 1946 until 2012. Officially MALÉV Hungarian Airlines, the name is an acronym of Magyar Légiközlekedési Vállalat. The company was headquartered in Budapest, with Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport as its main hub. Throughout its history, Malév served domestic routes and international services across Europe, parts of Africa and Asia, and at times intercontinental routes.

In its early decades Malév operated a mix of Soviet-built aircraft and Western jets and expanded in the postwar period. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries it modernized its fleet, adding Boeing and Airbus airliners, including narrow-body 737s and A320-family aircraft, and in earlier years operating long-haul wide-body jets such as the Boeing 767 on select routes.

Financial difficulties and a challenging market environment in the 2000s led to heavy losses. In February 2012 the Hungarian government announced the dissolution of Malév and the airline ceased operations. The company's assets were nationalized and reorganized under a state-owned holding that managed essential air services, while the Hungarian aviation market later saw expansion by other carriers, including low-cost carriers serving Budapest.

Legacy: Malév is remembered as Hungary's flag carrier and for its role in linking Budapest to European and other international destinations. Its dissolution marked a turning point in Hungarian aviation and the restructuring of the country's air transport sector.