Region
Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Income group
Upper middle income
Most populous city
Sofia

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Disclaimer: Note that the following information is not part of the score that the country receives on the Investing Across Sectors indicators. This information is provided as complementary to the data on the foreign ownership restrictions, and is based on the survey respondents’ comments and assessments. The World Bank Group does not guarantee accuracy of this information.

Sector group:
Transport
Sector:
Domestic air: A foreign company seeking to own an airline providing passenger transportation on scheduled domestic flights. Note: Excluded from the definition are cargo transport and charter flights.
Market structure:
 
Survey respondents' answer to the following question, "Define the market structure in your economy for this sector."
Oligopoly, i.e. a few large firms
Regulatory license:
 
Survey respondents' answer to the following question, "If a foreign company wanted to obtain a sector-specific regulatory license (or a concession contract) to open and operate a new business in that sector, how likely would the government be to issue such a license, provided that the foreign company meets all legal and regulatory requirements?"
Likely
Name of regulatory authority
(1) Head Director of the Civil Aviation Administration, (2) Minister of Transport
Additional comments:
Legislation: (1) The Civil Aviation Act (promulgated in State Gazette no. 94 from 1.12.1972), caa.gateway.bg/page.php?category=13

According to EU legislation, the majority of the share capital in Bulgarian aviation companies is to be held by EEA member states or their citizens. In order to operate a cargo or passenger air transport service within the EEA, an operating license must be obtained from the relevant national licensing authority. Operating licenses may only be granted to airlines in which EEA Member States and/or nationals of Member States own more than 50 percent of the undertaking and effectively control it, whether directly or indirectly through one or more intermediate undertakings, except as provided for in an agreement with a third country, to which the Community is a party.

The domestic flights are subject to prior approval by the General Directorate Civil Aviation Administration.

There are foreign firms currently operating in this sector
Min: 6 weeks
Max: 12 weeks

The company must have a certificate as an aviation operator and license as an air carrier. The flights within the air space of Bulgaria are subject to preliminary permission, an application and information for which should be submitted at least 4 working days prior to the first series of flights (2 days for single flight).

The GD Civil Aviation Administration issues the certificate of aviation operator and the license of air carrier. The domestic flights are subject to permission of the GD Civil Aviation Administration.