site.btaAirlines Association Notes Ever Growing Integration of Bulgarian Air Carriers in Single European Aviation Market in 2023

Bulgarian Airlines Association Chairman Svetoslav Stanulov Wednesday said that at the end of 2023, there were 20 Bulgarian air carriers with a valid operating licence. They operated 78 aircraft, of which 59 were passenger aircraft. More than 85% of the aircraft of Bulgarian companies operated in foreign markets, mainly in Europe, which is proof of the ever growing integration of Bulgarian aviation into the single European market, Stanulov said. According to him, working on foreign markets ensures greater flexibility and steady employment.

Speaking at a news conference on the Bulgarian aviation market, Stanulov called for analysis of the opportunities for turning Sofia Airport into a hub for transit and transfer flights so as to improve connectivity. He presented a report with highlights of the civil aviation market in 2023 and outlined trends.

He said that at the moment Bulgaria is an end-point of takeoff and landing, and is overflown by huge traffic en route between Europe and Asia, so the goal set by the state should be redefined. He stressed that thorough technical and economic analysis is needed for this purpose.

Stanulov noted that Sofia Airport is a base airport where almost the entire Bulgarian civil aviation, airlines, maintenance facilities and training centres are located. He stressed that providing access to both ground and air infrastructure should be part of the airport's development. At present, Sofia Airport does not have a fast and direct connection to the national rail infrastructure, although the Iskar Railway Station is just one stop away by metro.

Again, safety was a key priority for Bulgarian air operators in 2023, Stanulov said. Bulgaria continued to assert itself as an important European hub for aircraft maintenance and repair. He said Lufthansa Technik Sofia, Aero Technic, European Air Charter, Global Maintenance and Plane Tech in Sofia, as well as Electra in Varna, were the leading maintenance, repair and overhaul entities. In 2023, the total capacity of the 150-seat aircraft maintenance service lines increased to 17 (compared to 12 in 2018).