The successful bidder is required to build a new passenger terminal at Sofia Airport in Bulgaria. Credit: Aisano

A consortium comprising British airport operator Manchester Airports Group (MAG) and China-based Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG) has submitted a bid to operate Sofia Airport in Bulgaria.

The competitive concession process began in July last year.

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If the Anglo-Chinese consortium is awarded the contract, it will operate the airport for a period of 35 years.

Bulgaria’s Transport Ministry said that it has received five bids in the concession tender for the Sofia Airport. The bids will open on 9 May and a winner is likely to be chosen soon after.

“It is an exciting moment for us, as we truly believe that Sofia Airport has enormous potential to deliver further connectivity for Sofia.”

Other bids included French infrastructure investor Meridiam together with Munich Airport, Switzerland-based SSB Sauerwein & Schaefer with Copenhagen Airports, and Frankfurt airport operator Fraport.

The successful consortium will be required to spend approximately €600m and build a new passenger terminal at the airport.

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Manchester Airports Group airport services CEO Andrew Harrison said: “As we promised last year, MAG has made its formal submission to the Bulgarian Government.

“It is an exciting moment for us, as we truly believe that Sofia Airport has enormous potential to deliver further connectivity for Sofia. This, in turn, will help stimulate additional economic growth and tourism throughout Bulgaria.

“We at MAG believe that this concession process will be hugely beneficial for Bulgaria as a whole and that, together with BCEG, we have a compelling offer. We are thrilled to be taking part.”

The anglo-chinese consortium has also proposed to reconstruct existing terminals at the airport.

MAG currently manages three major airports in the UK including Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands.