The runway was officially inaugurated with a special flight FB 2204 operated by the national carrier - Bulgaria Air  

29 April  2026  will remain in the history of Burgas Airport  as the day when its  fully reconstructed runway was officially inaugurated  with  the special flight FB 2204  operated by the national carrier -  Bulgaria Air, marking the beginning of a new era in the airport’s development.  

The project represents  the most significant single investment in the history of the airport, amounting  to over 60 million EUR, and the largest single private investment ever undertaken in Bulgaria‘s airport infrastructure, financed by the airport’s concessionaire - Fraport Twin Star Airport Management AD, marks the beginning of a new stage in the development of the regional economy.

The runway grand opening event attracted huge interest and brought together representatives of national and local authorities, the diplomatic corps, the aviation industry, business partners, and a record number of media representatives. Among the official guests were Deputy Minister of Tourism -  Pavlin Petrov, Regional Governor of Burgas - Dobromir Gyulev, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Bulgaria –  H.E. Irene Maria Plank, the Senior Executive VP Global Investments & Management at    Fraport AG    –    Holger Schaefers, Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of Fraport Twin Star -  Denitza Weismantel, the Member of the Supervisory Board -  Hristo Todorov, the Chief Executive Officer of Fraport Twin Star -  Michael Reusch, as well as mayors from municipalities across the Burgas region. The ceremony was accompanied by a traditional blessing service conducted by His Eminence Archimandrite Dimitry.

Part of the official guests arrived from Sofia on  the special flight FB 2204, operated with an Airbus A220 aircraft, which subsequently returned to the capital after the ceremony. The landing of this flight was a key highlight of the programme, as it represents  the first official flight to land on the newly reconstructed runway. The flight crew also becomes part of the airport’s history – Captain Filip Srebrov and First Officer Dimitar Minchev, together with the cabin crew Raya Ivanova, Judith Gubidenova, and Adelina Teneva.

The flight number also carries a symbolic meaning,  as the runway at Burgas Airport is designated 04/22, reflecting its directional orientation. This subtle connection further enhances the symbolic selection of  flight FB 2204  as part of the official ceremony.

After more than 40 years of operation, the previous runway had reached the end of its lifecycle, which necessitated its full reconstruction and created the opportunity for the development of entirely new infrastructure meeting modern safety and efficiency standards.

As part of the project,  more than 127,000 tons of  special  polymer-modified  bitumen  asphalt  were used, including for the runway and taxiways,  incorporating advanced technologies to enhance performance and durability.  A  modern lighting system with  368  new LED lights,  over 65,000 metres of cable ducts  and  approximately 189 kilometres of cable network  were constructed, along with  a modern drainage system  with a total length of  over 9.6 kilometres. In parallel, apron areas were also upgraded with  13,800 m2 of new high-strength concrete reconstruction  and  6,400 m2 of new asphalt surface.

The reconstruction was completed within six months, fully in line with the planned timeline, with construction works carried out during the winter period in order to minimize the impact on the peak summer season and ensure uninterrupted operations for airlines and passengers.

The project also incorporates a strong sustainability component, with  approximately 97% of dismantled materials being reused, while  all key materials were sourced locally from the Burgas region, contributing to reduced transport activities and a lower carbon footprint.

The construction works were carried out by Stimex EOOD, in partnership with Avtomagistrali – Tcherno More JSC and the Romanian company UTI Construction and Facility Management SA.

As part of the event, guests had the opportunity to view the reconstructed runway, apron, and related infrastructure, as well as the modernised commercial areas of the terminal. The official programme concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the cutting of a specially prepared celebratory cake, symbolically marking the completion of  one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the history of Burgas Airport.

“The inauguration of the reconstructed runway marks an important milestone in the long-term development of Burgas Airport. It underlines Fraport’s clear commitment to further strengthening the airport as a key gateway to the Southern Black Sea region, supporting connectivity, tourism, and sustainable economic growth”,  said Ms. Denitza Weismantel, Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of Fraport Twin Star Airport Management AD.

“This is a project that is not merely an infrastructure achievement, but a clear statement about the future. This investment, valued at over 60 million  EUR, is key to the airport’s long-term development. It represents an investment in security, in service quality, and above all - in the connectivity of Burgas with Europe and the world. Better connectivity means more opportunities - for tourism, for business, and for the overall development of the region”,  commented Mr. Hristo Todorov, a Member of the Supervisory Board of Fraport Twin Star Airport Management AD.  

“Today marks far more than the reopening of a runway. This is the largest private single investment ever made at Burgas Airport and the Bulgarian airport infrastructure overall and a clear expression of our long-term commitment to Bulgaria. With this project, we are strengthening safety, reliability, and capacity, while creating a solid foundation for future growth for the entire Southern Black Sea region”, said Mr. Michael Reusch, Chief Executive Officer of Fraport Twin Star Airport Management AD.

With the completion of this project, Burgas Airport enters a new phase of its development, creating the conditions for sustainable growth, enhanced operational efficiency, and expanded opportunities for the development of air connectivity and tourism in the region.

Burgas Airport is looking forward to welcoming all passengers with its signature high-quality service and will continue to ensure a pleasant travel experience!