site.btaPolice Searching for Owner of Drone Spotted Near Sofia Airport on Friday

The police are searching for the owner of a drone detected in the airspace around Sofia Airport late on Friday, the Interior Ministry told BTA on Saturday.

A pre-trial investigation has been launched to determine whether a criminal offense related to transport and communications has been committed, the ministry added.

On Friday evening, a drone detected in the airspace around Sofia Airport caused landing delays, the airport's press centre told BTA. No flights were diverted, only schedule adjustments were made to ensure flight safety. The National Board for Aircraft, Maritime and Railway Accident Investigation said that, according to initial reports, the drone was detected close to runway 09, near Sofia's Hristo Botev residential district.

Airport officials recalled that operating drones over airports and along aircraft flight paths is banned.