Urgent actions of the Ministry of Tourism in connection with the suspended “State aid for tour operators who use air carriers with a valid operating license to perform charter flights to the Republic of Bulgaria for tourism, for the period from 01.06.2021

As promulgated in the State Gazette No.77 of 16 September 2021 the Amendments to the Law on the State Budget of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2021 forced the Ministry of Tourism to terminate the application process under Phase III of the procedure for granting “State aid for tour operators who use air carriers with a valid operating license to perform charter flights to the Republic of Bulgaria for tourism, for the period from 01.06.2021 to 31.12.2021”

The Ministry of Tourism envisages the resumption of the scheme by the submission of a proposal from the Council of Ministers for a legislative change, which would repeal the text of Art. 26 para 1 promulgated on 16.09.2021.

This foreseen change will restore the scheme for tour operators that use air carriers with a valid operating license to operate charter flights to the Republic of Bulgaria for tourism purposes, without the requirement for the use of Bulgarian airlines.

Despite the termination of Phase III, the period for which the state aid was notified (01 June - 30 November) will be included in the renewed scheme after the legislative change to the Law on the Measures and Actions during the state of emergency, announced by a decision of the National Assembly of 13 March 2020 and to overcome the consequences. In this way the negative consequences of the currently amended text of Art. 26 para 1 will be overcome.

The Ministry of Tourism will use all possible means to maintain and implement the state aid for tour operators that use air carriers with a valid operating license to operate charter flights to the Republic of Bulgaria for tourism purposes because the scheme is an important part of the overall package of measures to encourage the travel to Bulgaria and to restore the position of your country as a preferred all-year-round destination.