site.btaUPDATED Sofia’s First Medical Helicopter Arrives January 31

Transport and Communications Minister Georgi Gvozdeikov handed over the registration documents for a heliport to the executive director of St. Anna University Hospital in Sofia, Dr Slavcho Bliznakov. The site is the first in the capital to be registered according to the requirements of the European and Bulgarian legislation for registration of hospital heliports. It will be included in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) system.

Weather permitting, the first helicopter is due to arrive from Italy on January 31, Gvozdeikov said, adding that this has been confirmed by Leonardo, the Italian manufacturer of the aircraft. The sixth, and last, aircraft will be delivered in late April 2026, meaning that two helicopters will be able to cover every part of the country from mid-2026.

"St. Anna University Hospital built a helicopter landing site years ago. Helicopters have landed here, but this is something completely different because we are now part of a comprehensive national air emergency system. It is one thing to be isolated, it is another to be part of this system, which is a huge progress in emergency care," Dr Bliznakov said. The site has been used in ten emergency cases before.

Deputy Health Minister Ilko Getov, who attended the event, said 26 hospitals had received a government subsidy for helipads and the adjoining infrastructure so that they can join HEMS. Three medical teams have been trained. The first helicopter will fly during daylight hours - 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset.

A HEMS Centre which will conduct a preliminary assessment of cases, is already operational.