Burgas International Airport is located 10km north-east of Burgas, Bulgaria. The airport is also known as Sarafovo Airport and covers an area of 2,532,000m². It is operated by Fraport Twin Star Airport Management, a consortium of Fraport AG and BM Star, for a 35-year concession period. The concession was awarded by the Bulgarian government in June 2006.
The airport became operational in 1947. During the 1950s and 1960s it underwent expansions, including construction of a concrete runway and the installation of modernised equipment. It gained international status in 1970.
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Many domestic and international airlines such as Aer Lingus, Czech Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Thomson Airways and Wizz Air serve the Burgas International Airport.
The airport handles about 1.8 million passengers a year. It has a Cargo Centre which can handle 30,000t of cargo.
Master plan
Fraport Twin Star Airport Management has prepared a detail master plan for the airport development. The master plan 2010-2025 includes a number of expansions such as the construction of a new passenger terminal, fire station, provision for emergency power and drainage facilities, as well as taxiway and runway overlay works. These expansion works are estimated to cost $60m.
Burgas expansion
As part of the immediate improvements, the operator inaugurated a new departure terminal at the airport in June 2007. The concession partners have planned developments worth €403m to handle the increasing passenger traffic. The developments include construction of new passenger terminals, expansion of the aprons and parking facilities, and installation of ground handling equipment.
The contract to build a new passenger terminal was awarded to Bulgarian-Turkish consortium TIE-Ictas in November 2011. Under the BGN150m ($104m) contract, TIE-Ictas will build a 20,000m² terminal with a capacity to serve 2.7 million passengers annually. The new terminal will have 31 check-in desks and is expected to be open in 2013.
Terminal features
The airport currently has an arrival terminal and a departure terminal located 50m away from each other.
The terminals feature eight automatic check-in desks, information desks, eateries and a VIP lounge with conference and business facilities. The VIP lounge also features internet access, air conditioning and satellite TV. Special facilities are available for disabled passengers.
The departure terminal features duty free shops operated by Travel Retail Distribution. Baby care rooms are available in the departure terminal and currency exchanges are available in both the arrival and departure terminals. Eateries are located in the concourse areas of the terminals.
Dining facilities include the Modera cafeteria at the airport terrace and in the transit lounge of the departure terminal. A McDonald’s fast food outlet is located on the left side of the arrivals terminal. In front of the departures terminal a Phoenix ice restaurant is present.
The departure terminal features a mother and child area that provides suitable facilities for the convenience of mothers travelling with children.
Runway
The airport has a single runway designated 04/22. The runway is 3,200m-long and surfaced with concrete.
Parking
The airport parking area is located opposite to the terminal buildings. It offers 199 spaces for both short and long term parking. Special parking spaces are available for passengers who use the VIP lounge.
Aircraft parking facilities include 24 aircraft stands. The apron is spacious enough to park big aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and the An 124.
Car rental
The airport acts as a car hire hub for the whole southern coastline of the region. Car rental counters are located in the public area of the arrivals terminal. Car rental companies such as AVIS, SIXT, Budget, Dollar Thrifty, Top Rent-a-Car, Hertz and National Alamo have representative and branch offices at the airport.
Taxis can be hired from the taxi piazza located in front of the arrivals terminal. The taxi services are provided by Eco Taxi.
Ground transportation
Numerous taxis, shuttles and buses operate to and from the airport. Rail facilities are also available. A space of 136.998m² is dedicated for ground handling.
