Sofia Airport Suspends Civil Flights for US Military Aircraft Operations

Sofia International Airport (SOF) will suspend all civil air traffic during two brief, overnight periods on February 23 and 24 to accommodate military aircraft operations. The restrictions were announced via an official Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), a standard procedure for communicating changes in flight operations, and are corroborated by data from flight tracking services.

The temporary closure of Bulgaria's primary international gateway coincides with a significant and sustained increase in the presence of United States military aircraft at both the civil airport and the adjacent Vrazhdebna Air Base. This deployment, which officials link to broader North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) activities, highlights the strategic use of civilian infrastructure for military logistics in Eastern Europe amid heightened regional security concerns.

Operational Details and Aircraft Involved

According to the NOTAM, civil flights will be suspended from 01:15 to 02:50 local time on February 23 and again from 01:05 to 03:35 on February 24. While airport authorities told Bulgarian National Television that the suspension was related to technical work on runway shafts, the timing provides exclusive access for military movements during periods of minimal scheduled commercial activity.

The military aircraft presence includes several Boeing KC-135R/T Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft belonging to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, which is based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida and operates under the U.S. Air Force's Air Mobility Command (AMC). Additionally, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft from the NATO base in Ramstein, Germany, has been observed at the facility. Vrazhdebna Air Base, which shares infrastructure with Sofia Airport, is the home of the Bulgarian Air Force's 16th Transport Air Base.

Both the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Embassy in Sofia confirmed the aircraft belong to the United States Air Force (USAF). In official statements, they attributed the deployment to NATO’s enhanced vigilance activities, clarifying that personnel have been assigned to service the aircraft. However, officials declined to provide specific operational details, citing standard security protocols.

Strategic Context and Regional Significance

The scale of the American military deployment has drawn commentary from regional experts. Former Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Milen Keremedchiev noted that the volume of U.S. military equipment currently transiting through Bulgaria is unprecedented in recent years. He highlighted the strategic role of tanker aircraft like the KC-135, which are essential for extending the operational range of fighter jets and other combat aircraft during long-distance missions. This capability is central to power projection, enabling air forces to operate far from their home bases.

Speculation has arisen linking the movements to a broader buildup of U.S. air and naval assets in the Middle East, though this has not been officially confirmed. The increased activity in Bulgaria is part of a wider trend of increased NATO military air movements across its eastern flank, a direct response to evolving security dynamics in the region.

The KC-135 Stratotanker has been a cornerstone of USAF's global mobility mission for decades. Developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype, which first flew on July 15, 1954, the tanker first entered service in June 1957. As detailed in an official U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet, the aircraft has undergone numerous upgrades over its long service life. The KC-135R and KC-135T variants feature modern, fuel-efficient engines that significantly improved performance and reduced operating costs compared to the original models. These aircraft continue to receive modernization upgrades to their communications, navigation, and control systems to ensure interoperability and compliance with global air traffic management requirements.

Why This Matters

The temporary suspension of civil flights at a major European capital's airport for military operations underscores the dual-use nature of critical infrastructure. It highlights Bulgaria's strategic importance as a NATO ally and a logistical hub for operations in Eastern Europe and beyond. For the aviation industry, such events serve as a reminder of how geopolitical factors can directly impact commercial airline schedules and airport management, requiring close coordination between civil and military authorities. The deployment signals a tangible element of NATO's commitment to collective defense and readiness on its eastern flank.

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