Bourgas Airport's new administrative centre is ready on paper and currently pending approval for construction. The concept design was created by Arhline Nikolov, a Bourgas-based architectural firm fronted by leading architect Stanislav Nikolov.

The new facility will be three storeys tall, on the northeastern part of town, on an expansive 24 000 sq m plot. According to plans, the built-up areas will consist of  985 sq m, with a gross floor area of 2149 sq m.

Outside the complex will be a spacious parking lot, and the ground level will accommodate the airport's administrative offices as well as a cafe, restaurant, service halls, a warehouse, and technical and logistical support facilities. The second floor will have additional office space, with a large multifunctional and conference hall, and another spacious warehouse. The third floor will also have office space and warehouses.

The airport itself is set for a major renovation and expansion. In 2009, Bourgas Airport will get the benefit of a 35 million euro package as announced at a news conference at the airport on January 22 2009, as The Sofia Echo reported previously.

Kalin Barzov, Bourgas Airport executive director, and Karl Mai, chief technical director of Fraport Twin Star Airport Management AD outlined the investment scheme for 2009.

"The investment programme of the concern remains unchanged. The global crisis is a fact, it has arrived in Bulgaria but it changes nothing. It (the crunch) is a temporary phenomenon and we are planning ahead for the long term," Mai said.

The expansion of the Bourgas terminal will see several major developments. An extensive road network will be built, as well as electricity distribution facility, an infrastructure tunnel housing a communications centre and a system for noise pollution surveillance.

The terminal will be expanded to accommodate and process a larger number of customers.

Several buildings currently in use at the airport perimeter will be demolished. Most of the airport's administration will be relocated to a new administrative centre which will be set for use by the end of 2009.

The airport is served year-round by Bulgaria Air and budget carrier Wizz Air, which has a direct flight from Bourgas to London. German tourists were top of the charts, with more than 400 000 passengers passing through the airport, followed by Britons, more than 372 000, and a further 38 per cent increase in Russians. There has also been a noted increase in arrivals from the Czech Republic, Poland, Israel and the Netherlands.