Bulgaria's Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications has announced plans to relaunch the tender to operate Sofia Airport next September.

The Government canceled the 35 year concession contract in April, after extending the bid submission deadline four times.

As we reported, the first tender was launched in June 2016. The Ministry published atender notice for the concession. The concession had an investment estimated at €275 million (US$312.8 million) in a one-time payment after the election of the concessionaire plus €150 million (US$170.6 million) of investments to upgrade the airport during the 35 years. 

Sofia International Airport serves the capital and largest city in Bulgaria. The airport is located 5km to the east of central Sofia and it the biggest international airport in the country, handling over 3 million passenger p/a and some 30 airlines. Sofia has scheduled connections to all major European business centres and it is the hub for national airline Bulgaria Air.

The object of the Sofia Airport concession with an area of 5,219,778 square meters includes:

• Land plots and buildings (public state property)
• Facilities and adjoining infrastructure
• Property and possessions public state property, representing buildings, facilities, and systems for the visual air navigation equipment (airfield lighting), located in the territory of Sofia airport
• The buildings, facilities and equipment that the concessionaire will construct and/or install by its own risk and with its own funds under the conditions and procedure set by the concession contract

The private party will be responsible for the management of services of public interest and management and maintenance of the civil airport in accordance with the clauses of the concession contract.

The Government plans to remain committed to developing port and airport infrastructure via concessions.