A “Bulgaria Air“ plane is currently flying to Salalah in southern Oman to pick up Bulgarian tourists who are there. This was announced for TravelNews by Hristo Todorov from the management of the national carrier. The Boeing 737-341 has 148 seats and took off at 8:15 a.m. from the “Vasil Levski” Airport in Sofia. It is expected to pick up tourists from the “Emerald Travel” tour operator, who are staying in hotels in the resort, as well as other Bulgarian citizens tomorrow, said Todorov.
“Bulgaria Air“ has another plane based there, which is expected to pick up other Bulgarians from Oman and Dubai tomorrow, said Hristo Todorov. This is an Airbus with 180 seats. “Everything depends on the permits and the granting of corridors. We are ready to evacuate Bulgarian citizens”, he commented.
Other evacuation flights of Bulgarians blocked by the conflict in the Middle East are also expected today. They will bring back citizens who are in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynski announced. According to her, a flight is expected from Muscat, the capital of Oman, from where about 300 people should board, if the situation on the ground is safe.
“We are trying to respond immediately with safe routes for the stranded Bulgarians, all options have been mobilized - the government air force, the national carrier "Bulgaria Air" and other airlines with planes. There are many aspects of security. It is most difficult with Israel, but all options are being sought. We do not want to put anyone at risk in the air, Neynski commented.
The Foreign Minister said that detailed lists have been prepared by country of Bulgarian citizens who could potentially be evacuated.
Miroslav Ivanov
Source: travelnews.bg