SOF Connect consortium signs concession contract for Sofia Airport

Sofia Airport will shortly be under new management after the SOF Connect consortium signed the concessionaire agreement for the gateway with the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport.

Yesterday’s signing ceremony means that the project has now entered a new phase and SOF Connect partners Meridiam, Strabag and Munich Airport say that they are “looking forward to closely working together with all stakeholders to enhance the attractiveness of Sofia Airport as well as the Bulgarian economy.”

Thierry Déau, founder and CEO of Meridiam, says: “Our ambition is Sofia Airport to become an enabler of social, economic, environmental and inclusive growth that contributes to Sofia, its region and Bulgaria.

“World-class, sustainability and resilience standards will be applied to transform Sofia Airport in a success story which will benefit the Bulgarian citizens, the airport employees and partners.”

The consortium believes that the 35-year public-private partnership will add to Bulgaria’s economic rebound post Corona and support to achieve major regional benefits in social, economic and environmental aspects.

It says: “By implementing new technologies, increasing the level of service and improving the efficiency of airport facilities, the consortium will develop Sofia Airport as best-practice example – serving as a reference location for flights across Europe, Middle East and Transcaucasia.

“With a proven experience in the airport sector and an existing portfolio of landmark airports including LaGuardia Central Terminal (New York, USA), Queen Alia International (Jordan) or Ivato and Nosy Bé (Madagascar), Meridiam intends to set the ground for another long-term success story with the new Sofia Airport. Building a new sustainable infrastructure with positive impact.

As the new airport operator, Munich Airport will provide all its knowledge, expertise and market outreach – especially in terms of airline marketing, route development, passenger experience, smart airport development, airport city development and operational efficiency.

“We have a long-standing experience as successful airport operator and look forward to bringing our best practices to Sofia”, enthuses Munich Airport’s president and CEO, Jost Lammers.