site.btaUPDATED Transport Minister: First Scheduled Non-Stop Flights between Sofia and New York, Chicago to Begin in April 2026

"Air connectivity is key to sustainable tourism growth," Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Transport and Communications Minister Grozdan Karadjov said during a national discussion on tourism and air connectivity.

Karadjov broke the news that the first scheduled non-stop air service between Sofia and New York and Chicago is expected to be launched in April 2026.

"Bulgaria has all the prerequisites to become a regional aviation hub, with modernized airports, investment levels secured through concession contracts, good airport management and administration, an expanding route network, and the strategic partnerships established by operators," the Deputy PM added.

"Our goal is clear: to ensure predictable, quality and accessible air transport so that Bulgaria becomes not only a tourist destination but also a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, and North America," Karadjov went on to say.

The Minister said that, according to data from international organizations, every 10% increase in international connectivity directly leads to a 6 to 8% rise in tourist flow. He emphasized that this means more revenue for hotels, restaurants, and the transport sector as a whole, as well as for local communities.

Karadjov reported a stable increase in air traffic in Bulgaria. In January-September 2025, the Vasil Levski Sofia Airport served 6.2 million passengers and handled over 51,000 aircraft movements, 5% more than in the same period of 2024. The passenger traffic through Sofia is expected to exceed 8.4 million by the end of this year. Varna and Burgas airports have also seen significant growth,15.8% and 3.3% respectively, reaching by the end of September the passenger levels for the full year 2024.

The first scheduled non-stop flights between Bulgaria and the United States, to New York and Chicago, are expected to begin in April 2026, Karadjov announced. The minister specified that the carrier, GullivAir, has already successfully completed procedures with the US aviation authorities and is in talks regarding slots at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York and at the O'Hare International Airport in Chicago.

Plovdiv Airport is set to launch new air services to Milan and Bratislava, while new destinations in Marrakech, Chisinau, Abu Dhabi and European cities are expanding the country's connectivity.

The Minister noted that in Bulgaria, over 70% of foreign tourists arrive by air which, in his words, means that the development of airports, new air routes, and affordable fares is not just a transport issue but an economic and national priority.

Friday's forum was organized by the National Tourism Board and the Bulgarian Industrial Association, with the support of the Tourism Ministry. Its purpose was to present the condition of airport infrastructure with development prospect, the current state of airlines, and the strategic positioning on new markets and destinations.