Upon the
invitation of Congressman Donald Manzullo (R-IL) Ambassador András
Simonyi, Hungary's Ambassador to the United States visited Rockford on
December 3.
The
focus of the visit was to further explore the possibility of launching a
direct flight operated by MALÉV Hungarian Airlines between Rockford
Airport and Budapest an idea Congressman Manzullo had initiated at a
meeting with the Ambassador five weeks ago on Capitol Hill.
Ambassador
Simonyi visited the terminal building and the high-quality runway of
Rockford Airport, followed by a luncheon meeting with leaders of the local
community, where he delivered a speech on U.S.-Hungarian relations and the
significance of a direct link between Hungary and the Greater Chicago
Area. Ambassador Simonyi also met with members of the local Hungarian
community. The Ambassador and the Congressman also visited Hamilton
Sundstrand's facilities in Rockford.
Ambassador
Simonyi underlined that it was the third round of discussions between the
parties, mediated by the Congressman and the Ambassador; the idea is still
in the negotiation phase and in the next couple of months experts have to
find a common denominator to make the idea economically beneficial for
both sides. András Bognár Chief Advisor and personal representative of
MALÉV's Chairman and CEO, and Todd Nilp, Vice President for Europe of the
Boeing Corporation accompanied the Ambassador on the trip and took part in
the discussions with Robert W. O'Brien, Jr., Executive Director of the
Greater Rockford Airport Authority.
Congressman Manzullo, Ambassador Simonyi, Mr. Bognar, and Mr. O'Brien
Airport timetable showing the future MALÉV flight departing
on time
The Ambassador and the Congressman meet local
Hungarians
Ambassador Simonyi and the Congressman are
interviewed for WREX TV
Congressman Manzullo addresses the audience
