BULGARIA SOON WITH TWO NEW AIRPORTS NEAR SOFIA AND PIRIN

Two new airports which will serve passenger flights will be built in the next few years in Bulgaria. This will boost not only Bulgaria's tourism, but also the country's economy, a report by the aviation branch specialists eSKY.bg says.

Passenger's airport "Sofia- West", located near Kondorfey, is already very close to its final opening ceremony. About 60 km away from Sofia, it is very close to the Struma highway. The airport was officially inaugurated in June this year and now it can land cargo flights. Its VIP and passenger terminals will be also completed in the near future.

Besides hosting charter flights, it is expected that the former military airport will become a hub for low-cost airlines operating flights to and from Bulgaria. The 6th international airport in the country will serve Sofia, the winter resorts and even northern Greece. Experts from eSKY.bg predict Kondorfey airport to become a serious competition to the state airport Sofia, especially with low-cost flights.

Pirin Airport, the next planned air hub, is expected to give an extra impetus winter tourism in the country. Located around Gotse Delchev, it is scheduled to start serving passengers in the winter season 2015/2016. The "Airport for skiers" will also use the track of an old military airport, just like in the case of Kondorfrey. Pirin Airport, an EUR 20 million investment, will serve mainly charter flights to ski resorts Bansko and Dobrinishte. The capacity of the airport is at least 1,500 flights and 100 thousand passengers a year.

Experts expect that the completion of two above projects will act as a significant stimulus to foreign tourism in Bulgaria and will create nearly 2,000 jobs.