Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

Regular airline flights between Sofia and Kiev will be resumed, as announced today during the meeting between the Deputy Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Anton Ginev and the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Andrei Pivovarskiy who is on a visit to Sofia. Within a month the Ukrainian airline Wind Rose will start operating regular flights from Kiev to Sofia Airport taking all necessary steps for the resumption of the regular service, said Minister Andrei Pivovarskiy. In turn, Deputy Minister Anton Ginev said that the airport is ready to assist in the development of this line.

During the meeting the Bulgarian side raised the issue of the effectiveness of the operation of the ferry line Varna - Illichivsk. Non-recognition by the Ukrainian port authorities of certificates issued by the Bulgarian authorities for ferries "Heroes of Odessa" and "Heroes of Sevastopol" in accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, is a prerequisite for the inefficient use of ferries. Another issue raised was the requirement for no more than 12 persons (ship crew) are to travel on board the ferry, which hampers the transport of trucks along the line that usually travel with two drivers. The Ukrainian side declared readiness to make the necessary clarifications on the number of accompanying service personnel next week, so as not to hinder the transportation of trucks. In conclusion, Deputy Minister Anton Ginev said the Bulgarian side is ready to hold a meeting of experts to discuss the draft of a new intergovernmental agreement to organize direct railway ferry between Ukraine and Bulgaria.