In 2025 alone, the Hungarian government spent over two billion forints on private jet travel for former Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó during his official trips. This revelation came as part of an internal audit conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has been reviewing past expenditures. The information was shared publicly by László Velkey, the parliamentary secretary of the ministry, who posted detailed figures on his Facebook page. According to the data, Szijjártó used private jets for 19 official trips in 2025, costing more than 2.036 billion forints. These expenses were funded by public funds, raising questions about their justification and transparency.
The use of private aircraft by Szijjártó has been documented over several years, with the total number of such trips increasing significantly since 2022. In 2022, five flights were made using private jets, costing approximately 296 million forints. By 2023, this number had risen to 13 flights, totaling around 850 million forints. In 2024, the figure climbed further to 15 flights, amounting to nearly 1.52 billion forints. The following year saw the highest expenditure yet, with 19 flights costing just under 2.04 billion forints. Even in 2026, despite a reduction in the number of flights, one trip still cost 161 million forints.
Szijjártó’s travels took him to numerous international destinations, including the United States, Japan, Vietnam, Mexico, and neighboring countries such as Serbia, Slovakia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Specific examples include a trip to Belgrade, where the cost of chartering a private jet was 37 million forints, and another to Bratislava, which cost 18 million forints. Additionally, there were instances where flights were booked but not utilized, such as a flight to Pozsony (Bratislava) that was canceled after being paid for at 18 million forints, and another intended for the Maldives and Lebanon, which cost 32 million forints but was also not taken.
The increased frequency and cost of these private jet trips have drawn attention from both the public and media outlets. Velkey highlighted that the use of private jets was enabled by Szijjártó's own decrees, suggesting that the practice might have been institutionalized within the ministry. He noted that the minister did not limit himself to major global capitals but also traveled to regional cities, sometimes opting for private jets even when alternative transportation would have sufficed. For instance, he chose a private jet instead of a regular train from Vienna back to Hungary, despite the higher cost.
As the audit continues, officials are examining whether these expenditures comply with legal and ethical standards. Velkey mentioned that the ministry is now considering potential criminal liability related to these expenses, indicating that the review could lead to formal investigations or legal actions. This development adds a layer of complexity to the political landscape, particularly as Szijjártó remains a prominent figure in Hungarian politics. The scrutiny of these financial decisions may influence future policy-making and public perception of the ministry's operations.
Looking ahead, the ongoing investigation into the use of private jets by Szijjártó could result in significant changes in how official travel is managed within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There may be calls for greater transparency and stricter oversight of such expenditures. Additionally, the findings could impact the broader discourse on government spending and accountability, potentially leading to reforms aimed at preventing similar situations in the future. As the audit progresses, further revelations may emerge, shaping the narrative around this issue in the coming months.
3 reports
TelexIndependentLeftFactual 85Objective 6522 hr. agoThe article reports on the official spending of Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó between 2022 and 2026, revealing that he used private jets 53 times during this period at a total cost of over 4.8 billion forints. The data was disclosed by Velkey György, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' parliamentary state secretary, who shared the information on Facebook. According to the ministry’s records, in 2025 alone, Szijjártó’s private jet travel cost more than 2 billion forints. The report notes that his travels included destinations such as Washington, New York, Beijing, Turkmenistan, the Philippines, Belgrade, and Bucharest, with some trips even departing from Vienna using luxury jets. It also mentions that two flights were booked but not utilized, including one for a trip to Slovakia and another for visits to the Maldives and Lebanon.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the minister's private jet usage as wasteful and unnecessary, suggesting potential misuse of public funds. The tone implies criticism of high-level officials’ spending habits, which aligns with a left-leaning perspective. The emphasis on the financial burden on taxpayers and the '
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 65): This article presents detailed financial data from Velkey's posts, aligning with the cross-source consensus. While it accurately reports the total costs over multiple years, it uses slightly more emotive language ('nemcsak Washingtonba...') which affects objectivity.
444.huIndependentLeftFactual 85Objective 6022 hr. agoThe Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that between 2022 and 2026, Szijjártó Péter, the state secretary, spent nearly 5 billion forints on hiring private planes for his official trips. The expenses increased significantly over the years, reaching almost 2 billion forints in 2025 alone. Velkey György László shared this information on Facebook, highlighting the growing costs and suggesting that Szijjártó had 'developed an appetite' for these expenses. The ministry is now investigating whether criminal liability applies in this case.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the spending as excessive and highlights potential legal consequences, using critical language such as 'evés közben jött meg az étvágya' ('he developed an appetite while eating'), which implies criticism of Szijjártó’s actions. The focus on criminal liability suggests a left-wing,
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 60): The article confirms the total expenditure over five years and references Velkey's posts. It maintains consistency with other sources but includes some subjective phrasing like 'evés közben jött meg az étvágya' which reduces objectivity.
444.huIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 602 days ago The state spent 2 billion forints last year on Peter Szijjártó's private flights.The article reports that former Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó and his delegation spent over 2 billion forints on private jet rentals for official trips in 2025, including 246 million forints on February's American visits. The detailed expenses were disclosed by State Secretary László Velkey György on Facebook, revealing that these costs were authorized under Szijjártó’s own regulations. The trips included multiple visits to the United States, Japan, Vietnam, Mexico, and neighboring countries like Serbia, Slovakia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The article highlights the significant financial outlay associated with these private travel arrangements.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about public spending on private jets by a high-ranking politician without overtly criticizing or praising the expenditure. It provides data from an official source (Velkey György László) and explains the regulatory framework used to justify the expense. The
Why these scores (Factual 75 · Objective 60): The article reports on the cost of Szijjártó's private jet trips, citing Velkey's posts as a source. It provides specific figures but lacks detailed verification. The tone includes some informal commentary ('evés közben jött meg az étvágya') which introduces bias. Cross-source consensus supports the
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