site.btaMinistry of Transport Strengthens Control Over Sofia Airport Concession Implementation

The Ministry of Transport is strengthening the control over the implementation of the concession of Sofia Airport, the Ministry said after a meeting of Minister Georgi Gvozdeikov and the executive director of the concessionaire company Jesus Caballero. According to Gvozdeikov, the joint committee between the ministry and the airport concessionaire, which is supposed to meet every month, has met only twice since the beginning of the year. "This shows a lack of control by the ministry," the minister said.

"This is a strategic site for the country in view of our preparations for Schengen accession and the concessionaire is obliged to meet all requirements for security and border control," Gvozdeikov stressed. He added that the conditions at Bulgaria's largest airport are not what people expect and the stated modernization should be accelerated. The Minister committed the state to provide the necessary assistance to the concessionaire for all administrative procedures so that the work on the renovation of Terminal 2 is not delayed.

Caballero briefed Gvozdeikov on the investment plans at Sofia airport. It is planned to invest BGN 50 million a year in the development of the airport in the next three years. The reconstruction of Terminal 2 will begin in 2024, with work expected to be completed by 2026. Construction of the new Terminal 3 will begin in 2026 and should be completed by 2030. The project will see passenger check-in counters doubled and security and border control lines increased. A new, more efficient baggage management system is expected to be implemented this year.