Bulgarian Rulers Spent BGN 33 M on Flights 2009-2013
The flights of Bulgaria's rulers on the government's aircraft for the period August 2009 – March 2013 cost Bulgarian taxpayers the whooping BGN 33 M.
The information was reported Friday by Ventsislav Lakov, Chairman of the Parliamentary ad-hoc committee probing the flights of "Air Detachment 28," which operates the government aircraft.
Lakov, lawmaker from the extreme nationalist Ataka party, said former Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, tops the list with 267 flights.
He also explained that a report of the National Audit Office, NAO, revealed "shocking" conclusions and promised to provide more details at a later date.
The use of the government aircraft by Borisov's amateur football team made headlines in Bulgaria in the summer of 2012.
It emerged then that the PM's lower-tier team Vitosha Bistritsa and the team of Chavdar Etropole notoriously flew to the Black Sea city of Varna to play a friendly game using the government Airbus A319.
Borisov stated at the time the team of Chavdar Etropole paid for the controversial flight, claiming there was "nothing wrong" with it.
However, officials from the Bulgarian Civil Aviation Administration explained the government Airbus A319 is not permitted to carry out commercial flights.
The aircraft is not registered under Ordinance 37, the one that regulates all commercial airliners in the country, the officials have clarified.
Tsvyatko Lukanov, a former head of "Air Detachment 28", also declared that the flight was illegal.
The friendly game was allegedly scheduled after Borisov lost a cards game bet against controversial former GERB MP Emil Dimitrov, who is the honorary president of Chavdar.
After being long-time close friends, Borisov and Dimitrov recently parted ways. Dimitrov became one of the founders of the new party BASTA, which is trying to attract members of Borisov's GERB (Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria).
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
Weather In Bulgaria On March 29: Sunny Skies and Rising Temperatures Across The Country
Bulgaria is set to experience favorable weather conditions on March 29, with mostly sunny skies forecasted across the country
Bulgaria Seeks to Improve Road Safety with Revised Traffic Light Ordinance
A new ordinance aimed at improving road safety by enhancing traffic light regulations has been drafted and released for public discussion by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Transport
Google, Amazon, Meta and Apple are Meeting in Sofia
Google, Amazon, Meta, and Apple are among the tech giants slated to convene in Sofia for a landmark event in 2025
Unlocking the Potential of Recycling: Bulgaria's Push for Sustainable Packaging Waste Management
In anticipation of the forthcoming adoption of regulations on packaging and packaging waste, the Association Polymers is spearheading a critical discussion on the pivotal role of recycling
Bulgaria's Cardiovascular Crisis: Deputy PM Urges Action
Bulgaria is grappling with a staggering burden of cardiovascular diseases, with more than 6 million new cases and over 1.8 million deaths reported annually
Bomb Signal At Sofia University And The Sofia Court House!
A bomb signal was received this morning at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"