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Tourism

Aviation Connectivity Crucial for Sustainable Tourism Growth in Bulgaria

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Aviation connectivity is a vital factor for sustainable tourism growth in Bulgaria, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov. He emphasized that the country has all the necessary prerequisites to become a regional aviation hub, with modernized airports, secured investment, and expanding route networks. Karadjov stated that the goal is to ensure predictability, quality, and accessibility in air transport, making Bulgaria not only a tourist destination but also a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, and North America. The Minister reported a stable increase in air traffic in Bulgaria, with Sofia's Vasil Levski Airport serving 6.2 million passengers in the first nine months of 2025, a 5% increase compared to the same period last year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The development of airports, new air routes, and affordable ticket prices is a crucial economic and national priority in Bulgaria, as over 70% of foreign tourists arrive by air.
  • The Ministry aims to ensure predictability, quality, and accessibility in air transport to make Bulgaria a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
  • Every 10% increase in international connectivity directly leads to a 6 to 8% rise in tourist flow, resulting in more revenue for hotels, restaurants, and the transport sector.
  • The National Tourism Board and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce, with the support of the Tourism Ministry, organized a forum to present the condition of airport infrastructure, current airlines, and strategic positioning of new markets and destinations.
  • Plovdiv Airport is expected to open new routes to Milan and Bratislava, while new routes to Marrakech, Chisinau, Abu Dhabi, and other European cities are expanding the country's connectivity.
  • Regular direct flights between Bulgaria and the United States, to New York and Chicago, are expected to begin in April 2026, with the carrier GullivAir having successfully completed procedures with the U.S. aviation authorities.
  • Airports in Varna and Burgas saw significant growth, with 15.8% and 3.3% increases respectively, reaching passenger levels equal to the entire 2024 year by the end of September.

Statistics:

  • 6.2 million passengers served by Sofia's Vasil Levski Airport in the first nine months of 2025, a 5% increase compared to the same period last year.
  • Passengers expected to exceed 8.4 million by the end of the year.
  • Airports in Varna and Burgas reached passenger levels equal to the entire 2024 year by the end of September, with 15.8% and 3.3% increases respectively.
  • Over 70% of foreign tourists arrive in Bulgaria by air.
  • 10% increase in international connectivity directly leads to a 6 to 8% rise in tourist flow.

Sources:

  • Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov
  • National Tourism Board
  • Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce
  • Tourism Ministry
  • Sofia's Vasil Levski Airport
  • GullivAir
  • US aviation authorities

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