Bulgaria has re-opened efforts to privatise its ailing flag carrier Balkan, advertising for international consultants to get the process under way. The airline was first put up for privatisation five years ago amid grand plans for a new Western-built fleet and an overhaul of the route network, but the project faded and Balkan has continued to make heavy losses. The airline still has a fleet of 26 Soviet-built aircraft and, although it leases two Boeing 767s and three 737-500s, had to return four Airbus A320s after payments were overdue.
Source: Flight International
