Paul Duffy/MOSCOW
Bulgarian Air Charter (BAC) launched operations last month, serving inclusive tour flights to Bulgaria.
The airline has been set up by Bulgarian, German and Russian partners, and will serve tour operators in various European countries including the UK and Germany. It also plans to operate to India.
Two Tupolev Tu-154Ms have been taken on lease from Moscow-based Vnukovo Aviation Overhaul Factory "VARZ". The maintenance company has a fleet of aircraft taken in for overhaul which, due to declining Russian traffic, it is now offering for short and long term leases.
By the time that its summer season is in full swing, BAC aims to have eight aircraft in service. They will all be equipped with Stage 3 hushkits and mandatory avionics to permit operations in Western Europe, including aircraft collision avoidance systems, reduced vertical separation minima and RNAV equipment. The aircraft will also have new interiors, including oxygen systems, improved seating and overhead bins to cater for the Western market.
With the rundown of Bulgaria's national airline - Balkan Bulgarian Airlines (which is majority owned by Israel's Zeevi group) - BAC is understood to have the support of the government. Many of Balkan's staff and management have transferred to the new carrier, and some of the national airline's route licenses are expected to be transferred to BAC in the near future.
Source: Flight International
