Despite announcing a significant 675 billion forint austerity measure by delaying investment expenses, the acquisition seems untouched by financial constraints. National Economy Minister Márton Nagy hinted that the state's share in the acquisition would be less than 774 billion forints, challenging the speculated total price floating around last year.

Insider sources revealed last autumn plans to repurchase Ferenc Liszt International Airport in a bid reaching 4 billion euros. Unlike previous transactions involving domestic giants like MOL and real estate tycoon Dániel Jellinek, this time, the deal is expected to involve foreign investors. Initial steps suggest the Hungarian state acquiring an 80% stake, with the remaining 20% going to Vinci Airports, a French company. However, post-acquisition strategies could see the state's share dilute to 51%, should it sell a portion to Qatari investors.

Estimates from 24.hu based on the 80% stake and the airport's nearly 1.5 billion euros debt speculate the government's payment to hover around 774 billion forints. Nevertheless, Nagy has recently suggested that the final tally might be more favorable than media projections.

While exact figures remain undisclosed, signals point towards the government spending less than the earlier stated 774 billion forints for the 80% stake. The anticipated post-Qatari investor phase implies a valuation of around 500 billion forints for the 51% share.

To date, 848.8 million euros, equivalent to roughly 328.5 billion forints, have been deposited to the "major shopping" company, Corvinus International Investment Zrt., earmarked for acquiring Budapest Airport shares. This move, decided last Christmas by Nagy, leverages an earlier capital increase primarily intended for the airport's acquisition. Funding sources have been diverse, including asset sales and loans, with notable transactions like the sales involving Erste Bank, Vienna Insurance, and Yettel's government stakes.

Further efforts to bolster the Corvinus fund saw the infusion of Antenna Hungária Zrt.'s 23.22% state-owned shares and a significant 305 million euro cash injection. This not only underscores the state’s commitment to the purchase but also its strategic approach to managing its assets and investments. Despite government clarifications stating these funds aren't solely for the airport's acquisition, speculation continues regarding this sizable financial maneuver's ultimate purpose.

While the precise purchase price of Budapest Airport remains under wraps, it's clear the government is set on not just this acquisition but on broader investment strategies, unaffected by the current fiscal crunch.

The escalating valuation of Budapest Airport, potentially reaching 4 billion euros, cannot be understood without revisiting developments over the past two decades. Controversies and strategic decisions dating back to the 1990s underpin the current high stakes involved in regaining control over this critical infrastructure, which plays a pivotal role in tourism and business, sectors vital to Hungary's economy.

Despite past and present fiscal challenges, the pursuit of Budapest Airport aligns with broader national goals to boost tourism, enhance service quality, and increase passenger traffic. It remains to be seen how this strategic investment will unfold and impact Hungary’s infrastructure and economic landscape in the coming years.