site.btaPomorie Mayor Launches Revision of Concession for Burgas Airport

The Mayor of Pomorie Municipality Ivan Alexiev has launched a procedure to review the 35-year concession awarded to the operator of Burgas Airport, Fraport Twin Star Airport Management AD. Alexiev's decision is motivated by the fact that so far no concrete steps have been taken to open new air routes to and from the airport of Burgas, and not enough efforts are being made to attract new airlines to operate in the area, the press centre of Pomorie Municipality reported on Friday.

They explained that the failure of the airport management to take concrete steps was categorically stated at a meeting held two days ago between the mayors of Burgas and Pomorie with the CEO of Fraport Twin Star Frank Quante and the director of the Burgas airport Georgi Chipilski.

"I will coordinate my decision with the representatives of the tourism industry in the municipality. We have the support of the Burgas Regional Tourist Chamber, but first I want to hear the opinion of the local people. I am considering launching a petition to terminate the concession, because it is not normal that our municipality should invest and actively work together with the industry to extend the season without any cooperation from the other side," Alexiev said.

He also argued that two airports - Varna and Burgas - operate within a range of 80 kilometres, which, although managed by one operator (concessionaire), are actually competing. The available charts show that, compared to the local airport, the Varna airport handles almost half as many summer passenger flights, which means that it has to be compensated in the winter. This is to the detriment of the Burgas region, where cargo traffic is mainly concentrated, bringing no added value to the local tourism community.

"I intend to organise a meeting with my colleagues - the mayors of the Southern Black Sea coast, because we are all directly affected by this neglectful attitude. For years, the southern seaside municipalities have supported Fraport by investing in a special fund from their budgets. The purpose of the fund was to stimulate flights in the winter and before the summer season, but so far I do not see these funds being used appropriately", Pomorie’s Mayor added.

Fraport Twin Star Airport Management told BTA that they would not like to comment on Alexiev's decision at this stage.