Sophia Airport in Bulgaria plans to create a new Terminal 3 as a part of a major project of about 224 million pounds to enter the first five -star area airport in Europe.
The airport is currently working on the modernization of Terminal 2 and will build three new terminals to be completed by 2030.
With this new structure, the annual capacity of the airport has increased the capacity of 20 million passengers, following the insertion of Bulgaria in March 2024 in the recent Sengen Zone.
“There is a vision of changing Sofia Airport into a European regional hub and the first five star airport,” said Hesss Cavalello, CEO of Sofia Airport.
He added as follows: “We want to be the best regional airport in Europe.
“What we are now aware of, especially talking to airlines in the third country or non -European destination, thanks to Schengen's joining, we are increasing appetite to Sofia.”
The current two terminals welcomed about 7.2 million passengers in 2023. In other words, the extension doubles this ability.
The terminal 3 covers 65,000 square meters and connects to the current terminal 2.
When a new terminal opens, a new checkpoint will be created to process about 3,250 passengers per hour at a total of 35 gates.
Caballero added: “I think you can create a unique thing here and send a message that Bulgaria may enhance passenger experience and standards in this area.”
“We want to achieve the terminals that are all comfortable within walking distance.
“You can reach all gates in less than 5 minutes.
“Our design is to concentrate the commercial area into one.”
Currently, airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air are already operated from the airport, and it is expected that lower -cost careers will be participating in the future.
The work is scheduled to start next year, with the expected completion date in 2030.
The airport aims to be completely carbon neutral by 2036.
