In the first nine months of 2016, combined traffic at Fraport Twin Star’s Varna (VAR) and Burgas (BOJ) airports grew by 22.5% to 4.4 million passengers compared with the same period last year.
Ulrich Heppe, CEO of Fraport Twin Star Management AD – the company managing BOJ and VAR, comments: “We have made a real breakthrough this summer and intend to continue building on this stellar performance at the Twin Star airports.”
“We have made a real breakthrough this summer and intend to continue building on this stellar performance at the Twin Star airports,” enthuses Ulrich Heppe, CEO of Fraport Twin Star Management AD – the company managing BOJ and VAR. “In cooperation with our partners in the travel chain, we are working hard to develop Varna and Burgas as popular gateways to Bulgaria’s leading tourism.”
Another major contributor to this dynamic summer season is also Fraport Twin Star’s expanded marketing initiatives. As Heppe explains: “Fraport Twin Star has launched the “Twin Star to Five” aviation marketing strategy to intensify cooperation among five major players in the travel chain – the airlines, tour operators, hoteliers on the Black Sea coast, international tourism trade fairs, and the regional municipalities, especially the cities of Varna and Burgas. We are not only promoting BOJ and VAR as destinations, but the amazing Black Sea region and even Bulgaria overall.”
One of the joint projects with hotels and municipalities is the special Route Development Fund for bringing new aviation routes to Burgas and Varna.
Moreover, on 26 October 2016, Fraport Twin Star officially celebrated its 35-millionth passenger to use its twin airports of Varna and Burgas. This milestone highlights the development of the two airports and the tourism industry along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.
Indeed, Bulgaria’s Black Sea region has been gaining wider international attention and acclaim in the travel industry and from tourists themselves. The major tourism source markets driving growth in 2016 include Russia, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, Fraport Twin Star’s airports experienced a 7% increase in the number of airlines and a 16% gain in destinations in 2016.
Bulgaria’s Black Sea region has been gaining wider international attention and acclaim in the travel industry and from tourists themselves. The major tourism source markets driving the growth in 2016 include Russia, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom. Fraport Twin Star’s airports experienced a 7% increase in the number of airlines and a 16% gain in destinations in 2016.
“There is so much to discover and enjoy: from seaside ambiance and cuisine, Bulgarian wines, wellness and golf resorts, to UNESCO World Heritage sites and other historical treasures, international events and festivals – and, of course, the stunning beauty of the Black Sea coastline,” adds Heppe.
With the summer peak season over, Fraport Twin Star will be implementing further infrastructure projects. From 31 October to 30 December, Burgas Airport will be closed to air traffic so that taxiways and aprons can be renovated. Since the concession began in 2006, Fraport Twin Star has invested a total of €176 million at both airports. Major investments include attractive new passenger terminals that were inaugurated at both gateways in 2013. These modern and customer-friendly facilities have been well-received by passengers, as well as airlines and other business partners. On 10 November, Fraport Twin Star will officially mark the 10th anniversary of its partnership at Burgas and Varna airports.
Fraport Twin Star has invested a total of €176 million at Burgas and Varna airports. Major investments include attractive new passenger terminals that were inaugurated at both gateways in 2013.
