site.btaSofia Airport Concessionnaire to Invest Additional BGN 60 Mln in First Five Years

Over BGN 140 million will be invested in Sofia Airport in the first five years of the concession of SOF Connect, which is close to BGN 60 million more than the initially planned BGN 80 million. The concessionaire's plans were made public at a news conference in Sofia Tuesday by SOF Connect CEO Jesus Caballero.

The planned transformation of Terminal 2 includes an increase in its capacity to enable it to also handle the flights currently serviced by the older Terminal 1. The old terminal's building will keep its design and architectural value, but will acquire new functionality (VIP and business aviation services).

The concessionaire's mission is to become a 5-star regional airport by 2028. Caballero said that they have a plan, know how to accomplish it, have the necessary investment and the team spirit.

Sofia Airport's development strategy is based on four pillars. The first is passenger experience throughout the entire process at the airport. The second pillar is efficiency and financial performance. Caring for the environment is the third pillar as the airport will aim to reduce its own greenhouse emissions by 28% by 2026 and achieve carbon neutrality for operations under its own control by 2036. Economic and social contribution is the fourth pillar in the transformation strategy, as the concessionaire plans to contribute to an increase in the country's GDP by almost 1%, adding value not only to Sofia but to Bulgaria as a whole. This will be achieved through increasing flight connectivity and economic activity at the airport and related companies.

"In the coming year, Terminal 2 will be a construction site," said Jesus Caballero.

Terminal 2 will be extensively redesigned. Check-in counters will be relocated and nearly doubled in size. The baggage handling system will be reaplced and the arrivals' luggage carousels will be doubled. Domestic lines will be relocated so that travellers to Varna and Burgas will have access to all terminal facilities. Nearly 2,000 sq m of completely new retail space, serviced by the world's largest operator, Dufry, is due to be opened. Security screening capacity will be doubled. Three additional boarding bridges will be built to serve wide-body aircraft. The upper level of Terminal 2 will be thoroughly redesigned to accommodate the business lounges. Arriving and departing passengers will be separated as per the Schengen requirements.

After a contract was signed with the state-owned Sofia Airport EAD a few weeks ago, SOF Connect now has the rights to the Terminal 2 car park renovation project. A tender procedure has been announced and 20 construction companies have already expressed interest. A contract is expected to be signed in July.

The airport will be thoroughly rebranded in the spirit of the company's new corporate identity.