Minister Ilin Dimitrov and Fraport: There Will Be More Flights to Varna and Burgas in 2027

“We are working consistently to increase the number of flights and improve air connectivity. Our goal is to capitalize on the growing interest in Bulgaria to increase tourist traffic to the Black Sea coast and create conditions for sustainable growth in the coming seasons,” Minister of Tourism Ilin Dimitrov said during a meeting with Michael Reusch, CEO of Fraport Twin Star Airport Management. The conversation also touched on increasing air connectivity in 2027 and the upcoming meeting of TUI Group’s senior management in Bulgaria. Dr. Dimitrov emphasized that the Ministry of Tourism has already sent letters to the airlines Corendon and Condor, as well as to the ICC, and is awaiting specific confirmations regarding the planned flights.

Michael Reusch noted that Fraport is ready to accommodate the expected increase in traffic next year and expressed confidence that the expansion of air capacity could provide a strong boost to both Burgas and Bulgarian tourism as a whole.

In discussions so far, the tourist airline Corendon is planning new routes from Cologne, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart to Varna and Burgas, while discussions are underway with the German vacation airline Condor regarding approximately 15,500 seats to Burgas from Frankfurt, Nuremberg, and Leipzig. The ICC’s proposals call for approximately 250 flights to the two coastal airports, or roughly 50,000 seats. The Ministry and Fraport also discussed opportunities for joint marketing support for the new routes.

The upcoming TUI Group event in Bulgaria on September 24 and 25 was also part of the conversation. Our country is expected to welcome about 150 members of the company’s senior management. “The fact that one of Europe’s largest tour operators has a long-term vision for Bulgaria and is planning a sustainable presence in the country is very good news. It is important to us that this interest be supported by good connectivity, stable capacity, and joint efforts to promote Bulgaria as a tourist destination,” Michael Reusch said. During the meeting, TUI also confirmed that there are no plans to reduce the number of flights from Belgium to Bulgaria.