Latest news with #SofiaAirport
Daily Mirror
26-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
TUI's newest flight route from UK takes Brits to beautiful country 3-hours away
TUI has unveiled a brand new flight route, whizzing Brits over to a stunning country filled with intricate architecture, vibrant shopping scene and a rich history - and it's just 3 hours from the UK A tiny UK airport is slated for a huge boost after securing an exclusive new route with TUI. The travel firm has announced it will debut direct flights from Newcastle Airport to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, later this year - just in time for the ski season. The service will operate once a week on Saturdays, with the first flight scheduled to depart on Saturday, December 20. TUI says the new route, which will complement the existing London Gatwick, Dublin, Manchester and Birmingham services, will help connect the north-east to Bulgaria's winter sports resorts - such as Bansko, Pamporovo and Borovets. The new flights are available on a flight-only basis, as well as part of Crystal Ski Holidays packages. Sofia is a great budget-friendly destination for ski enthusiasts who don't want to break the bank by visiting the ultra-expensive Alps. The city is surrounded by soaring mountains that you can hike in the summer - or race down in the winter in your salopettes. If you're looking for a more laid-back holiday, don't worry. Sofia is filled with stunning architecture, a ubiquitous history, and plenty of cheap bars. History buffs will love St Alexander Nevski Cathedral, a Neo-Byzantine landmark renowned for its gold and green dome. The church was built as a memorial to the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died in the Russo-Turkish Liberation War and boasts an intricately beautiful interior. Vitosha Boulevard is great for those wanting to admire the rugged mountains from afar. The pristine strip is filled with a 'rich array' of shops, eateries, and cafes and perfectly encapsulates the 'spirit of the city'. Day trips to Rila Monastery - the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria - and the nearby Rila Lakes are also popular. In a statement sent to the Mirror, TUI's Chris Logan said the firm was 'excited' to introduce the new route following 'strong customer demand'. "The Bulgarian ski resorts have always been a popular choice with Crystal customers, and we're pleased to make the destination even more accessible for travellers from Newcastle and the North of England," he added. "Boasting high quality hotels, excellent value for money, highly rated ski schools and lively nightlife, Bankso, Pamporovo and Borovets are brilliant ski resorts all easily reached from Sofia Airport with transfers included with Crystal Ski Holidays." Leon McQuaid of Newcastle Airport also welcomed the news, praising TU for 'continuing to invest' in the hub. "This exciting new destination gives our passengers even more choice to explore some of Europe's best-value ski resorts and it's another great addition to our growing winter schedule," he added. "We look forward to celebrating with TUI Airways when the new route takes off in December." TUI is currently offering return flights to Sofa from Newcastle for just £293, which includes 15kg of checked-in luggage and 10kg of hand luggage per person. *Prices based on passengers departing on January 10, 2026 and returning on January 17, 2026.
The Irish Sun
18-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Full list of 48 EU airports letting British holidaymakers use faster eGates this year – skipping long passport queues
MORE countries across Europe are allowing Brits to use their airport eGates - massively reducing wait times after a flight. The UK government has confirmed that Sofia Airport in Bulgaria will now allow British holidaymakers to use the much faster eGate queues. 4 Sofia Airport now allows Brits to use eGates Credit: Alamy 4 Half a million Brits visited Bulgaria last year Credit: Alamy Currently, Brits are Instead, they are directed to the alternative queue for all other passengers, meaning huge delays when going through passport security. However, Around 300,000 Brits headed to the Algarve last year, out of the 2.5million visiting Portugal. Read more on travel rules Not only has next year. Around 500,000 UK holidaymakers visited Bulgaria last year, with many heading to the popular Sunny Beach. And around 70,000 Brits visited Estonia last year. The opening of the ports will see 49 destinations permitting the use of eGates to Brits. Most read in News Travel This includes Paris , Rome, Lisbon and Tenerife. EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "Today's eGates win is great news for Brits travelling to the EU – and a clear sign of the Government's pragmatic reset of our relationship with Brussels and European capitals.' Heathrow airport chaos as people 'left to queue for five hours' after not being able to use eGates Full list of destinations allowing Brits to use eGates Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris Orly Airport Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg Marseille Provence Airport Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport Nice Airport Eurostar Paris Gare du Nord Terminal Eurostar London St Pancras Terminal Eurotunnel Folkestone Terminal Eurotunnel Calais Terminal Port of Calais Alicante Mallorca Tenerife Lanzarote Egates Gran Canaria Ibiza Naples Airport Rome Fiumicino Airport Rome Ciampino Airport Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport Venice Marco Polo Airport Cagliari Airport Milan Malpensa Airport Milan Linate Airport Bari Airport Brindisi Airport Bergamo Airport Treviso Airport Verona Villafranca Airport Florence Airport Pisa International Airport Turin Airport Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport Catania Airport Palermo Airport Lisbon Airport Terminal 1 Faro Airport Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (exit only) Larnaca International Airport Paphos International Airport Brussels airport Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport Dublin airport Prague airport Terminal 1 Helsinki airport Sofia airport Earlier this month, He said: "We will be and are pressing to get on with this straight away. "Because for holiday makers wanting to get out this summer , they will want to know that they can do so easily, without delay and chaos." Last summer, Brits will also need to make sure they are still getting their passport stamped. Current rules only allow UK tourists to stay in Europe for 90 days out of 180 days, which is what the entry and exit stamps are for. Anyone seen to be overstaying can be banned from entering which happened to a 4 Tallinn will follow suit next year Credit: Alamy This will eventually be scrapped when the c New biometric checks will replace manual passport stamping. 4 Currently, 47 airports allow Brits to use eGates Credit: Alamy
The Sun
18-06-2025
- The Sun
Full list of 48 EU airports letting British holidaymakers use faster eGates this year – skipping long passport queues
MORE countries across Europe are allowing Brits to use their airport eGates - massively reducing wait times at security. The UK government has confirmed that Sofia Airport in Bulgaria will now allow British holidaymakers to use the much faster eGate queues. 4 Currently, Brits are facing hour-long queues at a number of popular holiday destinations due to be unable to use the eGates. Instead, they are directed to the alternative queue for all other passengers, meaning huge delays when going through passport security. However, earlier this month it was confirmed that Faro Airport - which connects Brits to the Algarve - would allow anyone from the UK to use their eGates. Around 300,000 Brits headed to the Algarve last year, out of the 2.5million visiting Portugal. Not only has Sofia followed suit, but Tallinn in Estonia has confirmed they will also remove the eGate ban for Brits from next year. Around 500,000 UK holidaymakers visited Bulgaria last year, with many heading to the popular Sunny Beach. And around 70,000 Brits visited Estonia last year. The opening of the ports will see 49 destinations permitting the use of eGates to Brits. This currently includes Paris, Rome, Lisbon and Tenerife. EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "Today's eGates win is great news for Brits travelling to the EU – and a clear sign of the Government's pragmatic reset of our relationship with Brussels and European capitals.' Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris Orly Airport Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg Marseille Provence Airport Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport Nice Airport Eurostar Paris Gare du Nord Terminal Eurostar London St Pancras Terminal Eurotunnel Folkestone Terminal Eurotunnel Calais Terminal Port of Calais Alicante Mallorca Tenerife Lanzarote Egates Gran Canaria Ibiza Naples Airport Rome Fiumicino Airport Rome Ciampino Airport Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport Venice Marco Polo Airport Cagliari Airport Milan Malpensa Airport Milan Linate Airport Bari Airport Brindisi Airport Bergamo Airport Treviso Airport Verona Villafranca Airport Florence Airport Pisa International Airport Turin Airport Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport Catania Airport Palermo Airport Lisbon Airport Terminal 1 Faro Airport Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (exit only) Larnaca International Airport Paphos International Airport Brussels airport Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport Dublin airport Prague airport Terminal 1 Helsinki airport Sofia airport Earlier this month, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said they wanted to reopen up the eGates to Brits again. He said: "We will be and are pressing to get on with this straight away. "Because for holiday makers wanting to get out this summer, they will want to know that they can do so easily, without delay and chaos." Last summer, Brits missed their flights in Spain due to long passport queues while waiting to get them stamped. Brits will also need to make sure they are still getting their passport stamped. Current rules only allow UK tourists to stay in Europe for 90 days out of 180 days, which is what the entry and exit stamps are for. Anyone seen to be overstaying can be banned from entering which happened to a Brit in Majorca back in 2022. 4 This will eventually be scrapped when the c onstantly-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) in introduced, set to be rolled out this October. New biometric checks will replace manual passport stamping. 4
Travel Daily News
20-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
SSP launches in Bulgaria, at Sofia Airport
SSP debuts in Bulgaria with Starbucks and Camden food co. at Sofia Airport, enhancing passenger experience through diverse global and local F&B offerings. SSP, a leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, recently made its debut in Bulgaria with the opening of its first units, a Starbucks coffee shop and a Camden food co. outlet, at Sofia International Airport. Located in the Terminal 2 airside departures area, the units were officially opened earlier this month and are the first of a number of new outlets. SSP is partnering with airport operator, SOF Connect, as part of its plans to renovate and refurbish Sofia Airport to transform the passenger experience. The design of the new Starbucks coffee shop has been inspired by the landscapes of coffee-growing regions, and a natural colour scheme and curved ceiling recall the mountainous terrain of coffee farms. Clearly marked walkways help passengers navigate their way through the outlet quickly and efficiently, whether ordering to take-away or drink in. The coffee menu features well-known favourites including 'Caramel Macchiato', 'White Mocha' and 'Iced Café Latte' alongside Starbucks signatures such as 'Frappuccino® Blended Beverages' and the 'Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso'. It spans an area of approximately 250 sq. m. and seats over 100 guests. SSP-created brand Camden Food co. with its focus on fresh foods, appeals to passengers looking for wholesome options when travelling. The menu at the outlet in Bulgaria will include a number of the brand's most popular options, ranging from fresh, gourmet salads, artisan sandwiches and a wide range of hot and cold drinks, to nutrient-dense snacks and freshly baked treats to grab-and-go. As a part of a wider agreement between SOF Connect and SSP, beginning trading in phases linked to the renovation of the airport terminal, SSP will open leading global brands Burger King and TGI Fridays complemented by popular SSP brands Upper Crust, Soul + Grain, Levito, Dao Dao, and new bespoke concepts – Meshana – A Taste of Bulgaria and Bar 09-27. Jesus Caballero, CEO of SOF Connect said; 'We are proud to mark the roll out of the airport's new F&B area with the opening of a Starbucks coffee shop and Camden food co. In partnership with SSP, we have created an innovative experience to suit each passenger's journey through the airport. This demonstrates our commitment to elevate the passenger experience to the highest industry standards and achieve a 5-star airport rating'. Mark Angela, CEO of SSP Eastern Europe and Middle East, said; 'We're delighted to be working with SOF Connect to support their exciting plans to create an outstanding airport experience. We will be bringing a strong and innovative range of international and bespoke brands to the airport, many of which are making their debut in Bulgaria. Our brand line-up was created following extensive research into the needs of passengers at Vasil Levski Airport. Our outlets and fabulous team members will create an environment that captures the true spirit of hospitality and heritage that is so much a part of Bulgarian culture. These magnificent bars, restaurants and cafes will be a business that both SSP and SOF Connect can be proud of, and that our guests will enjoy visiting for years to come.'
