Passenger traffic at Bulgaria's Varna, Burgas airports up 59% in Jan-Oct

Passenger numbers at Varna Airport were up by an annual 43% to 1.3 million in the January-October period, while passenger traffic at Burgas Airport surged 74% to 1.63 million, Fraport Group said in a statement last week.

Cargo handled at both airports increased 30% to 5,759 tonnes in the period under review. Aircraft take-offs and landings went up 37% year-on-year to 22,144.

Burgas and Varna airports are run by Fraport Twin Star Airport Management, which in September received an extension to November 10, 2046 of its concession contract awarded in 2006. Fraport Twin Star Airport Management is a 60/40 joint venture of Fraport and Bulgarian company BM Star.

"Across the group, the airports in Fraport’s international portfolio also maintained their ongoing rebound in passenger demand," the German company said.

Although passenger traffic at the group's largest airport in Frankfurt jumped 45% compared to October 2021, cargo traffic at the airport saw an 12% annual decline last month on account of the general economic slowdown and flight restrictions due to the Ukraine war.

Elsewhere in Southeast Europe, Fraport Group operates the airport in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana, as well as 14 airports in Greece. The group also runs an airport in Antalya, Turkey.