site.btaFine Imposed on Operator Following Conflict with Passenger at Sofia Airport

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov expressed his outrage by the disgraceful behaviour of the employee of the ground handling operator Goldair Handling Bulgaria during a conflict involving the luggage of a Ryanair passenger today on Friday. 

"Instead of making efforts to reduce tension during these busiest months for travel, he contributed to escalating emotions and behaved rudely towards her. Even before noon, I ordered the General Directorate of Civil Aviation Administration to check the CC-TV recordings and talk to witnesses of the incident and representatives of the Border Police. It is widely acknowledged that the ground operator did not meet the required performance standards," Karadjov said.

"For this reason, the manager of Goldair Handling Bulgaria was summoned to the Civil Aviation Administration at 3:30 pm, where he was given the highest fine and a verbal warning that his license would be revoked in the event of a similar incident. Passengers have rights that must be respected. Even if there are violations, there is a procedure for establishing them. And no one has the right to treat people with such disrespect," Minister Karadjov added.

A video of a conflict at Sofia airport over a passenger's hand luggage was shared on social media earlier in the day.