The airport has served over 3.2 million passengers since the beginning of the year. While optimism is high in the numbers, unfortunately the forecast for the whole of 2022 is not so positive. Expectations are for a more than 23% annual decline in total passenger traffic compared to 2019.
The decline in total passenger traffic in July at Bulgaria’s largest international airport was less than 10% compared to the pre-COVID 2019, and total passengers served was 601,434. International scheduled passengers were 551,182 or a decrease of 9.92%. Passengers on domestic flights were 31,104, down almost 13%.
The growth of passengers travelling on international charter flights was observed for consecutive month. In July, 14 959 preferred destinations to which there are no scheduled flights from Sofia Airport.
The total number of flights has also decreased by nearly 12% compared to 2019. More passengers but fewer aircraft indicates better use of aircraft capacity.
One of the largest year-to-date decreases was seen in cargo and mail handled – 1,667 tonnes in July. This is up over 22% on 2019 figures.
The main reasons for the lower levels of passengers served compared to 2019 include people’s fear of travelling due to the increasing cases of COVID-19, as well as military action in Ukraine. The situation at European airports, flight cancellations at some airlines and high fuel prices are also undoubtedly impacting the figures.