Now may be the time to buy a flat or a house in the historic Hungarian town of Székesfehérvár, thanks to the fact that a major developer has decided to establish a new international airport nearby, which will cater to low cost carriers and charter airlines.

Alba Airport will be located approximately 60km southwest of Budapest, the Hungarian capital, just on the outskirts of Székesfehérvár. According to the current plans, the new hub—which will aim to challenge Budapest Ferihegy Airport—will open to passengers in 2010.

The goal is clearly to offer passengers more choice in terms of where they land when travelling to Hungary.

Thus far, the vast majority of international flights use one of three terminals at Budapest’s Ferihegy Airport, with a smaller number of passengers arriving at FlyBalaton Airport, in western Hungary, and Debrecen Airport in the east.

Székesfehérvár already has all the characteristics to attract both a large number of tourists, as well as foreign investment.

The opening of a new airport within less than two years will certainly make this town of 102,000 residents even more attractive.

The city is known for its historic central district and the town has existed for well over a thousand years, having been established in AD 972.

Alba Airport is clearly trying to refer back to this heritage, as the city’s original Latin name was Alba Civitas.

The town’s most valuable real estate includes flats in renovated, historic buildings in the city centre, and especially around popular squares and pedestrian malls.

The price of homes, however, remains far lower than in Budapest, located just over an hour away by train.