Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Christina Velinova held an online meeting with representatives of Qatar Airways to discuss the possibilities for restoring direct flights between Sofia and Doha.
During the meeting, Deputy Minister Velinova expressed regret over the discontinuation of the direct air route between Sofia and Doha. It was noted that, following 15 years of successful operation on the route, the final flight took place on 28 February 2026. It was emphasised that over the years the route had been of strategic importance to Bulgaria’s air connectivity.
Direct flights to Doha provide Bulgarian citizens and businesses with access to Qatar Airways’ extensive network and convenient connections to numerous destinations across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Australia.
It was also noted that in recent years Qatar has become an increasingly popular tourist destination among Bulgarian travellers, creating further potential for growth in passenger traffic between the two countries.
“For Bulgaria, restoring the direct Sofia–Doha connection is important not only in terms of air connectivity. The route is also significant for the development of tourism, business and bilateral economic relations. We are therefore ready to engage in active dialogue and to discuss specific steps that the Bulgarian side can take to support the process,” Christina Velinova said.
Qatar Airways representatives indicated that the decision to suspend flights to Sofia had been prompted both by the complex situation in the region and by a number of operational factors.
The airline expressed its readiness to carry out the necessary analyses and explore the possibilities for resuming the Sofia – Doha route.
The two sides agreed to continue their dialogue over the coming months, with a further meeting to be held to discuss the results of the analyses and possible next steps.
Deputy Minister Velinova emphasised the readiness of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Bulgarian aviation authorities to assist in identifying practical solutions for restoring the flights.
Qatar Airways is a long-standing partner of Bulgaria. Prior to the suspension of the route, the airline operated four flights a week between Doha and Sofia and, through its Doha hub, provided convenient connections to numerous international destinations. The route was also operated under codeshare partnerships with several airlines, including Bulgaria Air, SriLankan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Malaysia Airlines.