The facility, known as Ferihegy to those born before 2011, was opened on 7 May 1950, 70 years ago. To mark the occasion, a variety of vehicles including fire engines, snow-clearing machines, a helicopter and refurbished retro buses have been used to display the words "BUD : 70" on the largely empty tarmac of the airport, which is currently operating with very limited traffic due to the epidemic.

Major events in the 70 years of the airport's existence include the opening of Terminal 2 in 1985, the opening of Terminal 2B in 1988 and the closure of Terminal 1 in 2012, which was completely renovated seven years earlier.

The most interesting of the events that preceded its 70-year history is that the area was named after Ferenc Mayerffy, a master winemaker and vineyard owner, but the 147-metre-high sand hill (the eponymous Ferihegy) was levelled in 1940 to make room for the airport.

If it had been up to the relevant geography committee, the airport still bears the name Ferihegy today, but the facility was renamed to another 19th century Ferenc Liszt in 2011 against their recommendation, because this year was the 200th anniversary of the birth of the composer Ferenc Liszt.