Bulgaria: Mystery Drone Forces Brief Closure of Airspace above Sofia Airport
Airspace above Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport was temporarily shut down on Saturday after security systems detected a drone in the vicinity of the capital’s main aviation hub
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications, Grozdan Karadjov, announced that a concession procedure for Plovdiv Airport will soon be initiated. During a meeting with representatives from the aviation industry, Karadjov emphasized the importance of reducing state involvement in the aviation sector. He expressed support for the idea that the management of Plovdiv Airport should be handed over to the private sector, with a focus on both civil and cargo aviation development. Analyses and recommendations regarding the concession procedure will be conducted, he added.
Karadjov highlighted that, in line with European practices, Bulgarian airports should be concessioned rather than relying on state funding. He also mentioned the ongoing efforts to reduce administrative burdens for businesses within the aviation sector, noting that the Civil Aviation Administration is working on the digitalization of all administrative services, which will soon be completed. This move is intended to streamline processes and reduce costs for aviation enterprises.
The meeting also touched on other key issues such as the training of aviation personnel, improvements to infrastructure, and access organization at Sofia Airport's northern apron. Additionally, the preparation of a legislative framework for drone operations and the development of smaller airports were discussed.
In August 2024, the Ministry of Transport and Communications announced that Plovdiv Airport is now fully state-owned and outlined plans to launch a concession procedure as a potential solution to support the airport’s growth.
The ongoing war in the Middle East is beginning to cast a shadow over Bulgaria’s tourism sector, with early signs already visible in reservations for the upcoming summer season.
Bulgaria’s tourism sector is facing a significant setback after the cancellation of trips by Israeli visitors due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East
The ongoing escalation in the Middle East has prompted a significant wave of cancellations among Israeli tourists planning to visit Bulgarian ski resorts, particularly in Bansko
The Association of Tour Operators and Travel Agents “Future for Tourism” (OBT) has urged the authorities to ensure equal treatment of Bulgarian citizens awaiting evacuation from Dubai
In Bansko, the winter tourism season is facing a severe crisis as the war in the Middle East triggers widespread cancellations. Reservations from Israel and other affected countries have been entirely scrapped, leaving hotels nearly empty
At the close of 2025, Bulgarian citizens showed a slight increase in travel activity, with approximately 1.1 million individuals aged 15 and above undertaking tourism trips in the fourth quarter,
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