Air Traffic Over Bulgaria On the Rise

The air traffic over Bulgaria has increased significantly, compared to last year, reports Dnes.bg.

In 2013 over Bulgaria flew an average of 2500 airplanes a day. Currently their number has reached 2900 and by the end of July is expected that the number will surpass 3000. 

According to air traffic controllers, the main reasons for the increased traffic were the tensions in Eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea, after which the Eurocontrol banned the flights over Eastern Ukraine and Crimea. 

Another reason was the increasing prominence of the Istanbul airport as a main hub for long distance routes to the Middle East and Asia and the increasing number of chartered flights taking tourists to Bulgaria's resorts. 

The increasing number of air traffic, according to the controllers, would mean more emergency landings at Bulgarian airports.