site.btaNovember 12, 2002: Balkan Air Tours Becomes National Flag Carrier

On November 12, 2002, Bulgarian Air Tour was named Bulgaria's flag carrier. 

Following is the BTA English Service coverage of the event:

Balkan Air Tour Becomes National Flag Carrier

Sofia, November 12 (BTA)  - Transport Minister Plamen Petrov issued an order designating Balkan Air Tours national flag carrier, the press office of the Transport Ministry said.

For the time being Balkan Air Tour will be national air carrier for services for which there are intergovernmental agreements making it possible for them to be performed by more than one air carrier. Bulgaria has such agreements with France, Germany, the UK, Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates.

A procedure has been opened for the issuing of operation certificates to Balkan Air Tour  by the aviation administrations of these countries for performing regular services to the coordinated destinations, the press release says.

A meeting of experts was held at the Ministry of Finance Tuesday to discuss the business plan submitted by Balkan Air Tours, the press release also says.

The management of Balkan Air Tours also met representatives of Lufthansa Technik at which an agreement was reached on the terms for transferring the Boeing 737-300 aircraft used by Balkan Airlines declared bankrupt last week.