There is no “huge scandal” or any such thing in transportation. Negotiations on state aid for companies in the Bulgarian aviation industry are going smoothly and in the spirit of positive cooperation with the line ministries of the caretaker government. We at the Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association (BAIA) would like to underline that this is the first time that the Council of Ministers (MoM), in the person of Transport Minister Georgi Todorov and Finance Minister Assen Vassilev, has given a hand to the domestic aviation sector with concrete actions. We are forced to state this position because of distorted information that has appeared in some media outlets such as PIK, apparently with the aim of creating unnecessary tension and artificial traffic build-up.
Following a number of appeals of our side for the release of funds to companies in the aviation sector that were affected by the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, several meetings were held in various ministries. The Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications (MTITC) came out with a positive opinion that funds available in Sofia Airport LTD should be redirected to help some airlines that are literally facing bankruptcy. The MoC is not “cutting” other companies such as ground handling and maintenance companies, but putting them on the back burner because of the European requirements for such subsidies. There is a huge difference in both things and there will be further discussion on how to help them as well.
We would like to note that in our published announcement we have not mentioned the names of companies such as Lufthansa Technic Sofia, Fraport Twin Star Airport Management LTD and GoldAir Handling, which, although are registered in Bulgaria, but not a members of BAIA and we have not taken their opinion and statement.
We would also like to ask the media not to distort information in order to create scandals, because by doing so they only sow tension, worsen our relations with the institutions and harm Bulgarian aviation in their effort to put certain departments and politicians in an explanatory mode and in a bad position. We do not deal with politics and we have other goals and ways of communication. If you want to help, do it constructively and in concert with the names you cite. Thanks in advance!
Last but not least, we thank the Prime Minister, the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Finance for their good attitude and communication towards us so far. We hope to continue working in the same spirit and to restart the aviation sector, as it is of great importance for the Bulgarian economy, especially in times of crisis.