Bulgaria Air Launches Direct Sofia-Crete Flights
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Loading... - Akila Kamal
- 05 Jun 2023
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Passengers seeking beach destinations from Bulgaria are in for a treat as Bulgaria Air is set to introduce direct flights from Sofia to the picturesque Greek island of Crete for its annual summer schedule. From June to October, the airline will operate this seasonal service twice a week, offering travelers the opportunity for a week-long vacation or a relaxing weekend getaway.
The reinstatement of flights to Crete is not a novelty for Bulgaria Air, as it has been a seasonal route exclusively available during the summer season. Starting from June 4th this year, flight services will resume, allowing passengers to indulge in the breathtaking Greek island with its pristine beaches, rich historical sites, and delectable cuisine.
Economy class airfare prices will begin at approximately €99 ($106.20) for a one-way ticket from Sofia International Airport to Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis." This fare includes the allowance of around 10 kilograms for carry-on baggage and complimentary onboard catering during the estimated one-hour flight.
While Bulgaria Air previously utilized its Airbus A319 aircraft, there seems to be a likely change in the aircraft type this year, as the flag carrier plans to employ its Embraer ERJ-190s. With a configuration that accommodates slightly fewer passengers, featuring 108 seats in a single-class layout, these aircraft will enable Bulgaria Air to transport at least 216 passengers to Crete on a weekly basis.
Bulgaria Air's reach expands to Spain as well, with the addition of new routes following a recent agreement with Iberia. After successfully collaborating on the Sofia-Madrid route for several years, Barcelona has now become a second codeshare destination between the two airlines. Bulgaria Air will operate all flights on the Sofia-Barcelona route, while Iberia will issue tickets for the corresponding sections under its own brand. Barcelona will not only serve as a final destination but also as a convenient transfer point for Bulgaria Air passengers looking to explore other attractive destinations on the Iberian Peninsula.
As Bulgaria Air aims to further expand its presence in Spain, the cooperation agreement with Iberia facilitates easier access to various summer destinations in the country at the start of the peak travel season. Flights to Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, and Palma de Mallorca have already commenced since last month, a departure from the usual schedule that traditionally began this month.
In line with the airline's growing route network, Bulgaria Air is also expanding its fleet this summer. It is expecting the arrival of three fuel-efficient Airbus A220 aircraft during the travel season. The first aircraft is scheduled to arrive this month, followed by the second in August, and the final one in September. These new-generation narrow-body planes will be deployed on some of Bulgaria Air's busiest routes, including flights from Sofia to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, and Paris. In addition to enhancing capacity, the Bulgarian flag carrier intends to gradually replace its Airbus A319s and Embraer ERJ-190s with Airbus A220s, potentially leading to more of these state-of-the-art aircraft joining the airline's fleet in the future.
