Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

Over the past ten years the number of aircraft serviced by State Enterprise “Air Traffic Service Authority” (BULATSA) has increased by nearly 50 per cent. This was stated by the Minister of Transport Information Technology and Communications, Danail Papazov during the General Director of Eurocontrol, Frank Brenner’s official visit to Bulgaria. 

Minister Papazov added that Bulgaria is steadily lowering air navigation taxes, the amount decreased amounts to 35 per cent over a ten year period, while keeping in mind that the number of serviced aircraft is increasing. In his words, this is an excellent example of the system’s effectiveness, ensuring airspace capacity and avoiding flight delays. Minister Danail Papazov stated that due to this fact, last year Bulgaria ranked among the top-three countries implementing cost-effectiveness.

The visit of the General Director of Eurocontrol, Frank Brenner was an assessment of our country’s role in the successful development of the air traffic control system not only on a regional but also on a European level, added Minister Papazov.

The General Director of Eurocontrol, Frank Brenner noted that the efficiency of air traffic management in Bulgaria excellent and that the concept of BULATSA meets the latest and modern standards in its field. In his words, Bulgaria takes on a key role in addressing the ever growing air traffic and is able to contribute to the successful development of the European air-navigation system.

The General Director of BULATSA, Dian Dinev stated that starting November this year, for the first time, Bulgarian airspace will introduce “free planning” for each flight’s route. He added that this is a concept that requires a level of effort by flight safety officials, but it means that each flight can be carried out through the shortest possible route with lower fuel consumption and emissions, jus as airlines would want.

Bulgaria has been a member of the organisation EUROCONTROL since 1997 and to date follows a sustainable policy towards modernization of Bulgarian airports and strictly implements the investment programme for the ensuring of airspace capacity through the national airway navigation service provider – BULATSA.