In one week after Bulgaria's accession to Schengen, statistics show that passengers save between 20 and 40 minutes per flight. This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Anna Natova during an event organized by the Association of the Bulgarian Aviation Industry (ABAI).
The occasion is the welcoming of a symbolic flight in honor of our acceptance into Schengen, which took place from April 4 to 7 in several countries of the Schengen area on the initiative of ABAI.
„The possibility of shortening the time for waiting and checks is a serious reason for strengthening the interest in Bulgaria as a business and tourist destination,” noted Deputy Minister Natova. She welcomed the “Bulgarian ambassadors of Schengen” and pointed out that the project has fulfilled its purpose, namely to draw the attention of Europeans to our acceptance in the common space.
She pointed out that the implementation of this flight aims to show that Bulgaria is already part of air Schengen and becomes more accessible to all countries in the union.
Anna Natova specified that the removal of air and sea border controls between Bulgaria and the other Schengen countries is only a preparatory step for the abolition of land border checks as well. According to her, this will also be a serious stimulus for the Bulgarian economy.
The Director General of DG “Civil Aviation Administration” Anelia Marinova stated that this symbolic flight personifies the efforts made for Bulgaria's entry into Schengen.
The event was also attended by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Kiril Vatev, the Minister of Innovation and Growth Milena Stoicheva, representatives of the private sector, etc.