Official Launch of the Tourism Season in Bulgaria: SunExpress and Electra Airways Connect Germany with the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast

On 16 May 2025, the first flights under the joint program of SunExpress – a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines – and Bulgarian airline Electra Airways were ceremonially welcomed at Varna and Burgas airports. The initiative aims to connect key German cities with Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.

The flight from Stuttgart landed at Varna Airport at 10:50 h. and was greeted with a traditional water salute, marking the symbolic beginning of Summer 2025. Later that day, at 13:10 h., a flight from Düsseldorf landed at Burgas Airport and was also warmly welcomed in the presence of official guests and media representatives. The celebration continued with a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony and a toast with champagne.

The festive welcome also marked the basing of three Electra Airways aircraft at Burgas Airport for the summer season – a strategic highlight of the new partnership. All arriving passengers received a traditional Bulgarian gift – lavender oil vials.

Among the arriving guests were VIP participants in the annual conference of the German travel association RITA AG, which is being held in Bulgaria this year.

A total of 32 direct weekly flights will connect Germany with Burgas and Varna. Depending on the departure city, travelers can begin their holidays in Bulgaria on up to six different days of the week. Tickets are available through SunExpress’s established sales channels and leading tour operators, while the flights are operated by Electra Airways.

The partnership between the two airlines is set for the period 2025–2027 and covers the summer seasons during these three years. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria and Fraport Twin Star Airport Management AD – the operator of Burgas and Varna airports.

“This is a very important step to have a better offer for the tourists from Germany, both for individual travelers and for tour operators. For the German market, we expect the passenger to be at the level of 2019, so pre-COVID. An important step for the tourism, I am very happy that SunExpress and Electra Airways collaborate intensely on this program!,” said Dr. Frank Quante, CEO of Fraport Twin Star Airport Management AD.

“With flights to Bulgaria, we are closing a gap in the flight offerings and reestablishing the Black Sea coast as a prominent travel destination. For our sales partners and their customers, we are enhancing travel options to a high-demand growth market that travelers can now easily access and discover thanks to the new direct flights,” emphasized Mr. Helmut Wölfel, Commercial Director at SunExpress.

“This partnership marks an important milestone not only for Electra Airways, but for the Bulgarian tourism industry as a whole. We are proud to work alongside SunExpress, a reliable and experienced partner, to strengthen the ties between Germany and Bulgaria. Together, we will ensure outstanding service for our passengers and make the Black Sea coast more accessible than ever before,” commented Mr. Stefan Trifonov, CEO of Electra Airways.