Bulgarian sea resort operator Albena eyes disused Balchik air base

Albena, the Bulgarian travel company that operates the eponymous sea resort, is negotiating with the defence ministry for joint access to a disused military air base in Balchik, on the Black Sea, said the company's executive director Krasimir Stanev.

Stanev said the agreement for the co-use of the facility, giving Albena access to a strip of the runway and one of the hangars, should be signed within a few weeks.

Some 35 small jets suitable for airtaxi services have been licensed so far by the Bulgarian aviation authority, estimates Stanev.

Albena is already making progress with airport projects in Primorsko, on the Black Sea, and Lesnovo, near Sofia, and plans to built another one near the sea resort of the same name. That project, however, is stalled by litigation over the land ownership rights.

The company intends to invest some 100 mln levs in tourist assets along the Southern Black Sea coast, said Stanev. The investment spend will include the renovation of the Biser hotel in Primorsko, the completion of the Primorsko airport and the construction of new hotel in Ahtopol, on the Black Sea, which is a joint project with Albena Invest Holding.

Albena has invested 50 mln levs so far this year to upgrade the accommodation facilities in the resort of the same name and now offers 10 four-star hotels.