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:
International air: A foreign company seeking to own an airline providing international passenger transportation. Excluded from the definition is cargo transport.
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 EE
There are foreign firms currently operating in this sector
Min: 4 weeks
Max: 20 weeks

The company must have a certificate as an aviation operator and license as an air carrier. Such company may apply for access to the market of air carriers. If an international treaty restricts certain routes, the permit is granted after a tender procedure.

Obtaining a license can take up to 4 weeks for regular flights from and to airports located in Bulgaria. Note that time limits for licensing irregular flights are highly differentiated where the minimum time limit could vary from one day to 2 weeks, depending on the monthly number of flights, type of airports used, etc.

The international flights are subject to preliminary permission, an application and information for which should be submitted at least 45 days prior to the first series of flights when a new line enters the market (30 days seasonal schedule of existing airline).