Investors eye disused military airport in Gotse Delchev

Dnevnik Daily, 27th March 2006

Investors are lining up to convert the military airport in Gotse Delchev, South-western Bulgaria, into an aerial gateway to nearby ski resort Bansko, resort villages Ognyanovo, Leshten and Kovachevitsa and Greek city Drama, Dnevnik learned from Gotse Delchev mayor Vladimir Moskov.

Moskov said he has asked the defence ministry to transfer the ownership of the airfield to the municipality but is yet to receive a response.
The Gotse Delchev municipality intends to co-create a joint venture with suitable partners and operate the facility as an aviation hub for low-cost and charter carriers.

The airport is reported eyed by an unnamed Israeli company that performs charter flights, an unnamed Bulgarian tourist company as well as investors based in Bansko.

The Bansko businessmen's' association is also interested in the project, said Bertram Rollman, the German owner of local textile company Pirin Tex. He said he was willing to participate but not as principal investor.

Greek businessman Viron Pliakas is also reportedly interested in the project, said the Gotse Delchev municipality. Pliakas, who owns a company developing a residential complex in Gotse Delchev, could not be reached for comment.

The Bansko and Razlog municipalities, south of the Rila mountain, are also zoning sits for the construction of a small civilian airport for charter flights. Yulen, the company operating the ski facilities in the Bansko area, is interested in the project and could participate with the financial assistance of First Investment Bank.

The Bulgarian government is expected to shortlist soon the airports decommissioned by the military that will be signed over for management under concession arrangements.
There are plans to earmark the military airport in Dobroslavtsi near Sofia for use by budget air carriers.

An interdepartmental group is preparing a concession procedure for the military airport in Plovdiv. The concession procedure for the Straklevo airport near Rousse will also get underway promptly. The airports in Gorna Oryahovitsa, Targovishte, Stara Zagora and Haskovo are also likely to be repurposed.

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