site.btaAviation Industry Representatives Discuss Bulgarian Tourism's Air Connectivity at Forum in Sofia

The air connectivity of Bulgarian tourism and the results of the 2024 summer season after Bulgaria's entry into Schengen airspace were discussed at a specialized forum on Friday with representatives of the aviation industry, including airline operators and airport managers.

The discussion was part of a conference on international connectivity as the key to sustainable growth of Bulgarian tourism, organized by the Bulgaria National Board of Tourism, the Tourism Ministry, and the European League for Economic Cooperation for Bulgaria and the Balkans.

Hristo Todorov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bulgaria Air, said that in 2024 the airline recorded a 30% increase in charter flights compared to 2023. About 150,000 tourists were served, he said. "We are not airports' biggest partner, but we have a significant share," Todorov said. He also highlighted the airline's drive to expand and renew its fleet. He recalled that it already has five new Airbus A220 aircraft, with two more to be delivered.

Doichin Angelov, CEO of Plovdiv Airport, pointed out that the airport is slowly but gradually changing its profile - from an airport with mainly charter flights to one with scheduled flights. He explained that the airport still has a small passenger flow, with about 230,000 passengers passing through in 2023.