Bulgaria’s Sofia Airport Prepares for Schengen Accession
Sofia Airport, one of Bulgaria’s busiest airports, is gearing up for its accession to the Schengen Zone on March 31, a move that is expected to streamline passenger flow and eliminate passport controls.
According to the CEO of Sofia Airport, Jesus Caballero, the airport has been preparing for Schengen accession for a long time, passing several checks by the EU to meet the necessary requirements. Once Bulgaria becomes part of Schengen, over two-thirds of the passengers at Sofia Airport will be able to pass through the terminals faster by air.
To ensure a smooth transition, flights will be distributed between Terminals 1 and 2 in a different way than they are now, and an information campaign will be introduced together with airline companies to prevent passengers from going to the wrong terminal. The CEO also stressed that passage corridors will open overnight, facilitating the movement of travelers.
Apart from Sofia Airport, Bulgaria’s Burgas Airport is also prepared for Schengen accession, with Terminal 2 specifically designed to meet the requirements of Schengen passenger service, according to the airport’s director, Georgi Chipilski.
In the first half of 2023, a total of 3.4 million passengers were handled at Sofia Airport, which is slightly lower than the number of travelers handled in the same period pre-pandemic. However, efforts are being made to develop the airport into a sustainable and modern hub, with plans for a BGN 150 million investment over the next three years.
Fraport Group, a German-based company that manages airports in Bulgaria, has also revealed that traffic numbers at Varna and Burgas airports decreased in 2022. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Bulgaria’s airports are looking ahead to a future with improved connectivity and efficient passenger services, especially with the upcoming accession to the Schengen Zone.
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