Bulgaria Air
Bulgaria's flag carrier, providing scheduled, charter, regional and selected ACMI air transport services.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Bulgaria Air is the flag carrier of Bulgaria and one of the country's principal scheduled passenger airlines. Headquartered at Vasil Levski Sofia Airport in Sofia, it operates short- and medium-haul services linking Bulgaria with European and Middle Eastern destinations. Its Bulgarian network includes Sofia as its principal base and Burgas and Varna as important focus cities. The airline also provides seasonal and contract charter services for tourism companies, travel operators and other aviation-sector customers. The carrier was created in 2002 after the insolvency of Balkan Bulgarian Airlines. It initially began operations under the name Balkan Air Tour, but that identity was short-lived. In November 2002, Bulgaria's transport authorities designated the new airline as the country's national flag carrier. A public competition was used to select the Bulgaria Air name and original logo, giving the new company a distinct identity rather than simply continuing the Balkan Bulgarian Airlines brand. Bulgaria Air was privatized in 2006. A locally owned group led by Hemus Air acquired the airline, while Air One was the only other reported contender. The transaction was reported at approximately €6.6 million, accompanied by a commitment to invest a further €86 million over five years. Following the transaction, Hemus Air and its subsidiary Viaggio Air were integrated under Bulgaria Air's name and management. This consolidation expanded the operating platform and required the airline to develop a unified fleet livery. The company joined the International Air Transport Association as a full member in November 2008. It subsequently renewed its fleet with Embraer E190 aircraft, announcing the acquisition program in 2011 and receiving the first new aircraft in March 2012. The Embraer fleet supported the airline's short- and medium-haul network and helped replace earlier aircraft types such as Boeing 737s and BAe/Avro regional jets. In 2020, chief executive Yanko Georgiev said that Bulgaria Air was discussing a possible order for five or six single-aisle aircraft with two manufacturers, with the stated goals of fleet modernization and network expansion. Beyond its core scheduled business, Bulgaria Air operates the Bul Air charter brand, which was revived in 2015. It serves more than 60 tour operators, brokers, airlines and other organizations through charter flying. Seasonal charter activity is concentrated at Burgas and Varna and has included destinations in Germany, Israel, Lebanon and Poland, while Sofia-based charter services have covered holiday markets in Egypt, Greece, Italy, Mauritius, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey. The airline has also undertaken wet-lease, or ACMI, operations for Air Serbia, supplying aircraft together with crew, maintenance and insurance. Bulgaria Air supports its passenger proposition with the Fly More frequent-flyer program, which has Basic, Silver and Gold Privilege tiers. It has also participated in co-branded payment-card arrangements and maintains commercial relationships through codeshare and interline agreements. In 2010, the airline and LSG Sky Chefs established Silver Wings, an airline-catering company connected with Sofia airport operations. Its media activities have included the Bulgaria On Air in-flight magazine, first published in 2003 and later expanded with a business-oriented edition distributed outside aircraft. In 2018, the airline reported carrying 1.267 million passengers on 5,995 flights. Its present identity combines national-carrier status, scheduled European connectivity, seasonal leisure flying and aviation services for partner airlines.
History
Bulgaria Air was established in 2002 to succeed Balkan Bulgarian Airlines, which had become insolvent. The new airline began flying on 4 December 2002 under the temporary name Balkan Air Tour. In November of the same year, Bulgaria's Minister of Transport and Communications designated it as the country's national flag carrier. A public competition subsequently selected the Bulgaria Air name and its initial visual identity. The process gave the successor airline a new national brand while maintaining its role as Bulgaria's principal international air carrier. The airline was privatized in 2006. A locally controlled group led by Hemus Air became the successful buyer; Air One was reported as the only other contender. The transaction was reported at approximately €6.6 million and included a stated commitment to invest €86 million over the following five years. After the change in ownership, Hemus Air and its subsidiary Viaggio Air were brought under Bulgaria Air's name and management. The integration also led to the creation of a new common livery. The first Bulgaria Air Airbus A319 in the finalized color scheme appeared in mid-2010, following the integration of the associated fleets. Bulgaria Air became a full member of IATA in November 2008. Its fleet and network subsequently developed around short- and medium-haul operations. In 2011, the airline announced that it had completed a route review and decided to acquire Embraer E190 aircraft. The first new E190 was delivered in March 2012. These aircraft formed part of the carrier's modernization effort and supported the economics of regional European routes. Earlier fleet types included the Avro RJ70, Boeing 737-300, Boeing 737-500, BAe 146-200 and BAe 146-300. The company has operated beyond its core scheduled passenger role. Bul Air, a charter brand with historical roots in Bulgarian aviation, was revived by Bulgaria Air in 2015. Bulgaria Air performs charter flying for more than 60 tour operators, air brokers, airlines and other tourism or aviation companies. During the summer, charter activity has focused on holiday markets served from Burgas and Varna, including Germany, Israel, Lebanon and Poland. Sofia-based charter operations have included destinations in Egypt, Greece, Italy, Mauritius, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey. The airline has also performed wet-lease or ACMI work for Air Serbia, providing aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance as an integrated service. Commercial development has included the Fly More frequent-flyer program, which offers Basic, Silver and Gold Privilege membership levels. The airline has also maintained codeshare and interline relationships with other carriers. In 2010, it established Silver Wings with LSG Sky Chefs, creating an airline-catering operation connected to Sofia airport and supported by reported investment from Bulgaria Air. Its customer-facing media has included the Bulgaria On Air in-flight magazine, launched in 2003 and later expanded with a business edition distributed in selected hotels and shopping centers. Bulgaria Air's principal base is Vasil Levski Sofia Airport, while Burgas and Varna serve as focus cities. Its network consists primarily of European and Middle Eastern routes, including domestic links between Sofia and Bulgaria's Black Sea airports. In June 2024, it added seasonal Varna–Frankfurt and Varna–Prague services. The airline reported 1.267 million passengers on 5,995 flights in 2018. In 2020, chief executive Yanko Georgiev disclosed discussions with two aircraft manufacturers concerning a possible order for five or six single-aisle jets, intended to modernize the fleet and provide additional capacity for network development. As a national carrier, Bulgaria Air continues to combine scheduled connectivity with leisure charters, brand-based ancillary programs and selected airline-service contracts.
- 2024
New seasonal Varna routes
[1]Seasonal services from Varna to Frankfurt and Prague begin in June.
- 2018
Reported annual traffic
[1]The airline reports 1.267 million passengers carried on 5,995 flights.
- 2015
Bul Air charter brand revival
[1]Bulgaria Air revives Bul Air as a charter-oriented brand.
- 2012
First new Embraer E190 delivery
[1]The airline receives its first new Embraer E190 following a fleet-renewal decision announced in 2011.
- 2010
Silver Wings catering venture
[1]Bulgaria Air and LSG Sky Chefs establish Silver Wings to provide airline-catering services.
- 2008
Full IATA membership
[1]Bulgaria Air becomes a full member of the International Air Transport Association.
- 2006
Privatization and Hemus Air-led acquisition
[1]A locally owned group led by Hemus Air acquires Bulgaria Air and later integrates Hemus Air and Viaggio Air operations under the Bulgaria Air identity.
- 2002
Bulgaria Air is established and begins flying
[1]The successor to insolvent Balkan Bulgarian Airlines begins operations on 4 December, initially using the Balkan Air Tour name before adopting Bulgaria Air.
- 2002
National flag-carrier designation
[1]Bulgaria's transport authorities designate the new airline as the country's national flag carrier.
Products and positioning
National flag carrier combining scheduled European connectivity with charter, regional and partner-airline services.
Passenger aviation · 2002
Scheduled passenger services
Bulgaria Air's core offering is scheduled short- and medium-haul passenger transportation. The network is centered on Sofia and connects Bulgaria with destinations across Europe and the Middle East, with domestic services linking Sofia to Burgas and Varna. The service is positioned around the role of a national carrier rather than a purely low-cost model.
Leisure aviation · 2002
Charter flights
The airline operates charter flights for tour operators, brokers, airlines and other tourism-sector organizations. Summer flying is concentrated at Burgas and Varna, serving holiday destinations in markets such as Germany, Israel, Lebanon and Poland. Additional charter programs depart from Sofia for leisure destinations in the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Indian Ocean.
Charter airline brand · 2015
Bul Air
Bul Air is Bulgaria Air's charter brand. The name has older historical roots in Bulgarian aviation and was revived by Bulgaria Air in 2015. It provides a distinct commercial identity for charter activity while remaining connected to the national carrier's operating platform.
Airline services
ACMI and wet-lease services
Bulgaria Air has performed wet-lease, also known as ACMI, operations for Air Serbia. Under this model, the airline supplies an aircraft together with flight crew, maintenance and insurance, allowing a partner carrier to add capacity without independently operating the aircraft.
Frequent-flyer program
Fly More
Fly More is Bulgaria Air's frequent-flyer program. It has three membership levels: Basic, Silver and Gold Privilege. The program is intended to reward repeat travel across the airline's scheduled network and forms part of its broader customer-retention proposition.
Brand decisions
2020
Consideration of additional single-aisle aircraftStrategyBackground
Management linked fleet renewal with the need to expand the network and make additional aircraft available for operations.
Action taken
The chief executive said the airline was negotiating with two manufacturers over a possible order for five or six single-aisle jets.
Aftermath
The reference material does not confirm that an order was finalized.
2011
Embraer E190 fleet renewalGeneration changeBackground
Bulgaria Air reviewed its route structure and sought aircraft suited to short- and medium-haul European operations.
Action taken
The airline decided to acquire new Embraer E190 aircraft, with the first delivery arriving in March 2012.
Aftermath
The E190 became part of the carrier's modernized regional fleet and supported its European network.
2006
Privatization and operating integrationM&ABackground
The Bulgarian state moved the national carrier into private ownership after its creation as the successor to Balkan Bulgarian Airlines.
Action taken
A locally owned group led by Hemus Air acquired the airline, after which Hemus Air and Viaggio Air operations were consolidated under Bulgaria Air's name and management.
Aftermath
The consolidation expanded the airline's operating platform and prompted the development of a unified fleet livery.
Reported acquisition price and investment commitment. €6.6 million reported acquisition price; €86 million promised investment over five years (2006 acquisition)
Sources2 sources
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