A special operational procedure has been introduced for taking passengers to and from aircraft at Vasil Levski Airport - Sofia, dariknews.bg reported.
It ends the practice of passengers from countries outside the European Union (EU) being transferred across a runway and then by bus to border control. This was announced by the General Directorate of the Civil Aviation Administration (DG CAA) quoted by the press center of the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
Disembarkation from the aircraft will take place near the runway, with direct boarding on buses, and the aircraft themselves will be redirected to use the runway for departing flights. The implementation of the new procedure will be subject to follow-up inspection by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation in the coming days.
The license of „Swissport Bulgaria“ AD to carry out ground handling activities at „Vasil Levski“ -Sofia Airport has been temporarily revoked. The measure is in effect for a period of up to two months or until all recommendations are implemented and the identified non-conformities are eliminated. This was announced by the Director General of the General Directorate of the „Civil Aviation Administration“ (General Directorate of Civil Aviation) Anelia Marinova.
The order enters into force 14 days after its delivery, which provides an opportunity for the reorganization of passenger service by airlines that have concluded contracts with „Swissport Bulgaria“ AD. The ministry explained that possible measures for a smooth transition were discussed today at a working meeting between the General Directorate of Civil Aviation and representatives of all ground operators. The minimum quality standards have already been in force and have been signed by all ground operators.
„The standards regarding passenger service were published on the website of the Bulgarian Civil Aviation Administration. The agreement provides for a mechanism for monitoring and control by the airport operator, which in case of violations will notify the Bulgarian Civil Aviation Administration to take immediate action“, specified Marinova.
The published criteria for the quality of passenger service upon arrival are: ensuring available responsible personnel for opening and closing the doors of the passenger exits (gates) within the terminal, as well as directing passengers from the aircraft to the relevant entrance of the terminal and ensuring sufficient personnel in the “Lost and Found“ area - presence is maintained until the final departure of the flight and completion of the baggage claim process.
Upon departure, the criteria for the quality of passenger service are related to the provision of measuring devices for hand luggage at check-in counters upon request by the airline. At least one agent must be present at the gate no later than 30 minutes before boarding begins to prepare signboards and priority and standard boarding lines, using a curtain-barrier and a baggage counter, the information also states. Another criterion is broadcasting boarding or delay announcements according to airline procedures (if a working audio system is available). Checking the identity of passengers before boarding and matching the boarding passengers with their baggage, as well as preventing damage, theft or unauthorized access/use of passenger property while it is under the care and control of the ground handling company are also part of the criteria for servicing departing passengers.
Quality criteria for passenger transportation upon arrival are providing transportation between the aircraft and the terminal at remote parking positions, maximum time for positioning the first bus: ATA (actual time of arrival) + 5 minutes (except in cases where the airline's procedures do not allow compliance with this deadline), immediate submission of the next buses after the departure of the first one (valid for all subsequent buses), as well as that all buses should be equipped with working air conditioning systems, ensuring comfort in all weather conditions.
At departure, quality criteria for passenger transportation are positioning of the buses on the platform in front of the gate: no later than 5 minutes after the start of boarding, as well as that the buses must ensure trouble-free and smooth movement to the gates in the terminal.
All bus drivers must be qualified according to internal requirements and have a valid permit for movement on the platform, subject to regular control by the airport operator.
Inspections at the capital airport will continue weekly, and at the airports in Varna and Burgas - once a month. It is also planned to introduce a satisfaction monitoring mechanism passengers, including with an easier opportunity to submit reports and complaints.
Minister of Transport Grozdan Karadjov announced that the license of the ground operator of the capital's "Vasil Levski" airport "Swissport Bulgaria" will be revoked in connection with the case of 300 passengers from a flight from London who were stranded on Friday. Karadjov demanded the resignation of the Secretary General of the "Civil Aviation Administration" (CAA) due to unfulfilled orders of the minister.