Sofia Airport in Bulgaria plans to build a third terminal

Sofia: Sofia Airport, Bulgaria, aims to significantly expand and become one of the major transit hubs in Eastern Europe. The airport is investing about $275 million (BNG 500 million) to build and operate a new third terminal. The third terminal will allow the airport to increase capacity and competitiveness in Bulgaria’s growing aviation sector. The region’s infrastructure continues to develop significantly and the project further highlights its economic growth and modernisation.

The third terminal at Sofia Airport will service up to 20 million passengers yearly. The broad trend of optimised operations, reduced congestion and increased connectivity will also help to make Sofia a new major transit hub.

SOF Connect, the airport’s operating company, intends to provide passengers with a high-quality travel experience by ensuring efficient passenger flow patterns and providing sustainable interior design.

More generally, Bulgaria is continuing to invest in modern aviation infrastructure. Reasons for the growth of such investments include rising demand and an increase in budget carriers.

The economic growth, driven by increased capacity at the airport, will significantly improve Bulgaria’s economy. By attracting direct foreign investment, it will advance regional connectivity, and stimulate tourism and business opportunities. According to the European Transport Research Review, capacity expansion promotes trade and tourism along with new routes for Europe’s airports. They also have a positive impact on the regional economy, attract more airlines and make travel in Europe easier. Thus, strengthening links with key European and global markets improves the region’s mobility. Thanks to the new terminal, Sofia Airport will become an attractive gateway for regional and international travel which, along with providing significant economic benefits for Bulgaria, will also attract more foreign aviation business partners.

Construction of the third terminal is currently in development. At the moment, Sofia Airport is awaiting approval by 2026. Therefore, the construction itself is expected to begin in the middle of 2026. At best, the full operational readiness of the third terminal will happen by 2027. The project’s main objective is to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of the terminal. Green materials and energy-efficient systems are a priority. The electronic gates, which facilitate boarding and computer tomography to check safety, will ensure the technological optimisation of passenger traffic. Innovative transportation of luggage technologies, capable of processing upwards of 2,400 bags every hour, will accommodate enormous production requirements, creating an environmentally friendly and modernised transit hub.

The upcoming third terminal at Sofia Airport will further expand Bulgaria’s role in global air transport. Being a transformative investment in the aviation landscape, the airport will become an important hub for Eastern Europe.