Direct flights between Bulgaria and the United States are set to begin in April 2026, opening new opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange, according to Bulgarian authorities.
The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karacov during a national discussion forum titled “Tourism and Air Connectivity: Traditional Destinations and New Markets — The Key to Sustainable Growth.”
“Direct connections with the United States will open new markets for Bulgarian tourism, facilitate business relations, and enhance cultural exchange,” Karacov stated.
Karacov confirmed that Bulgarian airline GullivAir has successfully completed all procedural requirements with U.S. aviation authorities and is preparing to launch regular flights to New York and Chicago starting April 2026. He added that slot negotiations at airports are in the final stages.
Bulgarian Air Traffic on the Rise
Bulgarian air traffic continues to grow steadily. Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport recorded more than 6.28 million passengers and over 51,000 flight movements in the first nine months of 2025, reflecting a 5% increase compared to the same period last year. Passenger numbers are expected to reach 8.4 million by the end of 2025.
Commenting on the growth, Karacov said:
“The increase in passengers at Sofia Airport clearly indicates the stable development of Bulgarian air transport. Varna and Burgas airports have also reached record levels, serving 1.5 million and 1.8 million passengers respectively. These figures show that passenger traffic at both Black Sea airports in the first nine months of 2025 has already exceeded the total for 2024.”
New Flight Routes Expand Connectivity
Bulgaria’s air connectivity is strengthening through new routes and increased activity by airlines. Plovdiv Airport will launch an international route to Milan this Sunday, followed by a direct line to Bratislava in November. Additional routes will connect Bulgaria with Marrakech, Chișinău, Abu Dhabi, and several other European cities.
Karacov also highlighted airline operations:
“Wizz Air operates with seven aircraft in Sofia and two in Varna. Ryanair and Jet2.com have expanded their operations along the Black Sea coast. Bulgaria Air has resumed flights to Paris, Frankfurt, and Prague. This demonstrates Bulgaria’s strategic position as a market for tourism and investment.”
Source: haberbg.net
