The procedure for granting state aid to the carriers is starting, but it will not happen quickly as most airline owners and managers would like. However, the airline sector should continue to be a priority for the government as it is of utmost importance to the country’s economy. This was stated by Mr. Todor Ivandjikov – Chairman of the Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association (BAIA) after another meeting at the Ministry of Transport. The meeting took place on Thursday, 22 of July and was attended by the Minister of Transport Mr. Georgi Todorov, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Transport Ms. Hristina Velinova, the Secretary of the Cabinet of the Ministry of Transport Ms. Karasimira Stoyanova, the Chief Executive Director of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation Mr. Hristo Shcherionov and representatives of the two Associations BAIA and BAA (Bulgarian Airlines Association).
At the meeting the steps and how to define the criteria for granting state aid to companies in the aviation industry were discussed.
The BAIA insists that the aid should not be only for the airlines, but also for the others affected in the aviation sector – maintenance and ground handling companies and others, but according to the Ministry this is not possible. It may be recalled that in the last one month, following a number of appeals by BAIA, meetings of the association’s representatives in the various line ministries have become more frequent. After Minister Todorov agreed that the funds available at Sofia Airport LTD should be allocated to the airlines, the criteria for the allocation of these funds were shaped. At the last meeting last week it became clear that in fact 30 million euros will be allocated instead of the 60 million euros that were left in the Sofia Airport State Enterprise. Mr. Ivandjikov added:
“A plan must be made for the appropriate and fair distribution of the state aid, the necessary forms must be filled in for coordination with the European Union (EU), which must give its approval for the release of the funds. Only then the Bulgarian government will be able to take any action. This is expected to happen around September and October.”