Bulgaria: Redistribution of Forces or Excess of Flights

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   Travel market players that organize tours to Bulgaria unveiled their summer plans. You may recall from earlier news bulletins that there is a threat of flights owing new player on the Bulagarian market – CAPITAL TOUR (news/ 07.03). Starting from May 1st its charter program from Moscwo to Varna by Transaero Boeing-767 is launched. The second Moscow-Varna program by the same aircraft will be launched on June 5th, the third – on June 12th. Meanwhile, from June 5th Transaero Boeing will fly to Burgas. However, according to Dmitry Cherepov, the Head of Bulgaria Department of CAPITAL TOUR, the air traffic volume to the Bulgarian destination does not differ considerably from last year. ‘Continental Airlines and Russian Sky do not plan to operate flights to Varna unlike season-2005’, commented Cherepov.
    Meanwhile, the majority of tour operators intend to increase a number of seats by 15–20%. In particular, ICS Travel Group plan to realize one charter program to Burgas and two programs to Varna in co-operation with Atlant-Soyuz. In 2005 ICS flied to Varna once a week and bought blocks from Solvex. Furthermore, Neva Travel Company will operate two charter programs to Varna – by TU-154 with Kavminvodiavia and by IL-86 with atlant Soyuz – and a charter program to Burgas – one flight per week by TU-204 with Kavminvodiavia. Svetlana Moreva, the Head of Bulgaria Department of Neva, stated as follows: ‘a number of flights is the same as last year but in 2005 we organize flights by a more capacious Boeing-737 with KD-avia. Consequently, we increased the air traffic volume by around 15%’.
   In addition, Solvex Travel Company will operate three flights per week to Varna and Burgas by S-7 Airlines IL-86, TU-154, A-310 and Boeing-737. Meanwhile, Balkan Express will increase its air traffic volume by 25% intending to fly to Varna and Burgas in co-operation with VIM-avia except flying together with CAPITAL TOUR by Transaero aircraft, said Alexey Markelov, General director of Solvex.
   On the other hand, Intair and Skyway are the only market players are not involved in the Bulgarian boom. Thus, Intair intend to operate one charter program to Varna by IL-86 starting from the end of May, while Skyway will fly to Burgas by A-310 of S7 Airlines.
   ‘The agiotage on the Bulgarian destination might result into dumping prices. Besides, tour operators will have to fight for quotas provided by hotels as they have been already distributed to different markets while a number of hotel rooms have not increased’, said Markelov.