Flights Bulgaria - USA: New Direct Connections to New York and Chicago

It is expected that the first regular direct flights between Bulgaria and the United States will begin in April 2026, announced the Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov. These flights will connect the country with significant American cities - New York and Chicago. The announcement was made during the national discussion "Tourism and air connectivity. Traditional destinations and new markets. The key to sustainable growth".

The Minister stressed that the carrier "GullivAir" has successfully passed the procedures before the American aviation authorities. Discussions are currently underway for slots with the airports "John F. Kennedy" in New York and in Chicago. According to Karadjov, direct flights to the USA will open new opportunities for the Bulgarian tourist product. They will facilitate business contacts and stimulate cultural exchange. "Every new line is a new opportunity for tourism, and direct links with the USA will allow more American tourists to discover Bulgaria, and it's not just the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, but also our cultural routes", said the Minister.

It is recalled that "Vasil Levski" airport received permission to operate direct flights to the USA in February 2022.

The reporter senses tension in the hall. While the Minister speaks, the attendees take notes carefully, reflecting on his every word. It is obvious that the topic of air links is of critical importance for the future of tourism in the country.

Karadjov reported a stable growth in air traffic in our country. For the first nine months of 2025, 6.2 million passengers and over 51,000 takeoffs and landings were served at "Vasil Levski" airport in Sofia. This is an increase of 5 percent compared to the same period last year. The expectations are that by the end of the year the number of passengers will exceed 8.4 million.

The airports in Varna and Burgas also report significant growth – 15.8 and 3.3 percent, respectively, having reached the levels of the whole of 2024 by the end of September.

Plovdiv Airport is expected to open new lines to Milan and Bratislava, and the new routes to Marrakech, Chisinau, Abu Dhabi and other European cities are expanding the country's connectivity. "The new lines expand the horizon of our connectivity and allow more tourists to discover Bulgaria", said Karadjov. He drew attention to the expansion of the route network of low-cost and traditional carriers, which, in his words, is "a clear signal that Bulgaria is an attractive market for investment and tourism".

The Deputy Prime Minister added that the national carrier "Bulgaria Air" has restored and expanded key lines, including to Paris, Frankfurt and Prague. According to him, this strengthens the country's position in the network of traditional European aviation hubs. The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that over 70 percent of foreign tourists arrive by air. This, according to him, means that the development of airports, new airlines and affordable prices is not only a transport, but also an economic and national cause.

At the beginning of his speech, the Minister stressed that aviation connectivity is key to the sustainable growth of tourism. Bulgaria, according to him, has all the prerequisites to become a regional aviation hub. This is possible with modernized airports, sufficient investment, good management and management of airports, an expanding route network and strategic partnerships.

"Our goal is clear - to ensure predictability, quality and accessibility of air transport, so that Bulgaria is not only a tourist destination, but also a bridge between Europe, the Middle East and North America", said Karadjov.

The Minister cited data from international organizations, according to which every 10 percent increase in international connectivity leads to an increase in the tourist flow between 6 and 8 percent. This means more revenue for hotels, restaurants, the transport industry and local communities, he stressed.

The forum was organized by the National Tourism Board and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce with the institutional support of the Ministry of Tourism.