site.btaTourism Minister Borshosh Meets AmCham Bulgaria CEO to Discuss Sofia – New York Direct Flights

Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh held a meeting with Ivan Mihaylov, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria (AmCham) here on Thursday. The main topic of the discussion focused on deepening the tourism exchange partnership between Bulgaria and the United States, including the possibility of restoring the direct flights between Sofia and New York, the Ministry announced. 

During the meeting, the potential benefits of non-stop flights between Bulgaria and the U.S. were discussed. According to preliminary analyses, restoring the route could lead to more than a 350% increase in passenger traffic between the two cities, amounting to up to 85,000 passengers annually on this route. Statistical data show that 87% of travellers between Sofia and New York fly exclusively between these two cities, which demonstrates the need for a direct route, the Ministry added.

Minister Miroslav Borshosh emphasized the steps already taken by the state and highlighted that restoring direct air connectivity with the U.S. would unlock the potential of this key market for Bulgaria by creating additional opportunities to attract American tourists and investors.

AmCham CEO Ivan Mihaylov stressed the importance of the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the United States at the governmental level, and AmCham’s pledge to promote a favourable investment climate and economic development in the country.

At the end of the meeting, both sides announced they were committed to working closely to realize the initiative to restore direct flights—an effort of strategic importance that would facilitate connections between two distant markets and, in doing so, promote the development of bilateral tourism, business, and cultural exchange between the two nations.

According to the latest National Statistical Institute data, in June there were 6,157 visits to Bulgaria by U.S. citizens, of which 4,790 were for vacation and travel.

The last regular direct flight from Sofia to New York was operated by Balkan Airlines in 1999. At that time, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned Bulgarian carriers from flying to U.S. airports, but this ban was lifted in 2008.