PRIORITY issues in Bulgarian aviation this year are safety, the Varna and Bourgas airports concessions, the reconstruction of Sofia Airport, and expansion of the number of carriers' destinations.
This is according to Minister of Transport and Communi-cations Nikolai Vassilev.
These priorities, which also include airport security, were conclusions reached after a meeting between Vassilev and representatives of aviation professionals on Wednesday.
National air carrier Bulgaria Air will expand its fleet with four new aircraft this year. At the moment, it is flying to 25 regular destinations using two Boeing 737-300, which were leased two years ago at 16 and 17 years age.
A total of 10 new aircraft are to be supplied to the Bulgarian air carrier this year, Vassilev said.
"The sides agreed that all aircraft more than 10 years old should be made redundant," Vassilev said.
This is particularly relevant to Bulgaria Air, to enhance safety and boost its prestige. This recommendation also applies to private air carriers, which will phase in aircrafts less than 10 years old.
A delay in the project to revamp Sofia Airport was rooted in the additional costs of 4.8 million euro on top of the 112 million euro winning bid by which Austria's Strabag won the tender for the new passenger terminal of Sofia Airport, Pari daily reported.
The contract for Lot B2, the construction of a new runway and other works at Sofia Airport as part of the project for its reconstruction and expansion, was signed in March 2003.
The cost of the contract for Lot B2 construction is estimated at just under $53 million, based on the terms of the joint venture between Mohammed Abdoulmohsin Al-Kharafi & Sons for General Trading and General Contracting & Industrial Structures W.L.L (Kuwait) - Admak General Contracting Company (OAE).
The whole project for the reconstruction, development and enlargement of Sofia Airport will create 500 new jobs, as well as a commitment to engage companies as subcontractors in connection with the construction works and the delivery of equipment. For the construction of a new passenger terminal and adjoining infrastructure, a further 2200 jobs will be created.
Under the contract with the joint venture the construction of the runway and related works is scheduled to be completed in 22 months. Under a financial contract between Bulgaria, the European Investment Bank and Sofia Airport, 52 million euro of the total cost for the airport modernisation will be released under European Union PHARE and ISPA programmes.
- Business Staff
This is according to Minister of Transport and Communi-cations Nikolai Vassilev.
These priorities, which also include airport security, were conclusions reached after a meeting between Vassilev and representatives of aviation professionals on Wednesday.
National air carrier Bulgaria Air will expand its fleet with four new aircraft this year. At the moment, it is flying to 25 regular destinations using two Boeing 737-300, which were leased two years ago at 16 and 17 years age.
A total of 10 new aircraft are to be supplied to the Bulgarian air carrier this year, Vassilev said.
"The sides agreed that all aircraft more than 10 years old should be made redundant," Vassilev said.
This is particularly relevant to Bulgaria Air, to enhance safety and boost its prestige. This recommendation also applies to private air carriers, which will phase in aircrafts less than 10 years old.
A delay in the project to revamp Sofia Airport was rooted in the additional costs of 4.8 million euro on top of the 112 million euro winning bid by which Austria's Strabag won the tender for the new passenger terminal of Sofia Airport, Pari daily reported.
The contract for Lot B2, the construction of a new runway and other works at Sofia Airport as part of the project for its reconstruction and expansion, was signed in March 2003.
The cost of the contract for Lot B2 construction is estimated at just under $53 million, based on the terms of the joint venture between Mohammed Abdoulmohsin Al-Kharafi & Sons for General Trading and General Contracting & Industrial Structures W.L.L (Kuwait) - Admak General Contracting Company (OAE).
The whole project for the reconstruction, development and enlargement of Sofia Airport will create 500 new jobs, as well as a commitment to engage companies as subcontractors in connection with the construction works and the delivery of equipment. For the construction of a new passenger terminal and adjoining infrastructure, a further 2200 jobs will be created.
Under the contract with the joint venture the construction of the runway and related works is scheduled to be completed in 22 months. Under a financial contract between Bulgaria, the European Investment Bank and Sofia Airport, 52 million euro of the total cost for the airport modernisation will be released under European Union PHARE and ISPA programmes.
- Business Staff
