The combined number of passengers handled at Burgas Airport and Varna Airport since the beginning of the year has exceeded the 3 million mark, against the backdrop of new routes and markets and positive traffic momentum

Fraport Twin Star Airport Management AD has reached an important milestone in 2026, as the combined number of passengers handled at  Burgas Airport and Varna Airport  since the beginning of the year surpassed  3 million.

The result is particularly significant considering that  Burgas Airport resumed flight operations only on 1 May, following the completion of the extensive runway rehabilitation project - the largest single private investment in civil aviation infrastructure in Bulgaria, worth more than 60 million EUR.

Thanks to the active efforts of the Fraport Twin Star Airport Management AD team, during the current season the two Black Sea airports have expanded their air connectivity with  new routes, new markets and additional frequencies on a number of existing services.

Among the highlights for Varna Airport is the significant expansion of Wizz Air’s network, including attractive new routes to:  Athens, Barcelona, Budapest, Gdańsk and Paris. Rome remains an attractive year-round destination, while year-round connections are also offered to Bergamo, Bratislava and other established destinations. In October, an entirely new route to Basel will also be launched.  Greece, Hungary and Spain  are among the new markets for Varna in 2026.

At Burgas Airport,  Italy  stands out among the new markets, with Ryanair’s flights to Rome, while the season has also seen  renewed interest from France  following the suspension of charter programmes in recent years.

The positive trend is also confirmed by the performance of several key inbound markets for the two airports. In 2026, double-digit growth compared with the previous year has been recorded from:  Poland, Israel, Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium and France.

The strong presence of the airports’ traditional partners also continues. Eurowings offers flights from a number of German cities to Varna and Burgas, Austrian Airlines has increased frequencies on its routes, while Discover Airlines provides direct connections from Frankfurt and Munich, offering onward connectivity worldwide through the Lufthansa Group network. Jet2.com, TUI and other long-standing partners are also providing additional capacity during the summer season.

Domestic connectivity also remains an important element, with Bulgaria Air increasing travel options between Sofia and the two Black Sea airports this year.

“Surpassing the 3 million passenger mark is an important positive signal for Burgas Airport and Varna Airport, as well as for the connectivity of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast as a whole. We are particularly pleased to see new routes and markets this year, the return of destinations and double-digit growth from a number of countries that are important to us. This demonstrates that there is strong potential on which we can continue to build. We are optimistic about the next stage in the development of both airports. The new incentive scheme - a programme designed to stimulate air connectivity - is an important instrument in this direction, and we expect it to create additional opportunities to attract new airlines and routes, as well as to increase frequencies on existing services. Together with the airlines, the tourism sector, and national and local institutions, we will continue working towards better and more sustainable year-round connectivity between Varna, Burgas and the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and the rest of the world,” said Michael Reusch, Chief Executive Officer of Fraport Twin Star Airport Management AD.

Based on the results achieved so far and the scheduled flight programmes through the end of the year,  Burgas Airport and Varna Airport expect the combined number of passengers handled in 2026 to exceed the result recorded in 2025.

Although the combined passenger traffic at the two airports still remains below the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, the current season is showing  clear positive momentum - an expanding route network, returning markets, new airlines and routes, and increased frequencies on existing services.  This is particularly impressive given that Burgas Airport remained closed to flight operations until May, airlines worldwide faced a number of challenges related to aviation fuel prices, and the German market experienced a significant decline following the termination of the partnership between the two airlines that had provided connectivity for German tourists traveling to the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.

Fraport Twin Star Airport Management AD continues to work actively with airlines, tour operators, the tourism sector, institutions and all relevant stakeholders to develop air connectivity and ensure the sustainable positioning of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast in international tourism markets.

Burgas Airport and Varna Airport look forward to welcoming all passengers with their signature high-quality service and remain committed to providing an enjoyable travel experience for everyone!