Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

New runway near Plovdiv will be suitable for heavy transport aircraft

Photo: BTA / Photo: БТА

A new runway has been opened at the Graf Ignatievo airbase. It has been upgraded for the new F-16 fighter jets expected in 2025. 

"Another 4 out of 49 reconstruction projects at the airbase are essential to accommodate the F-16 fighter jets. The companies carrying out these projects have assured that they will be completed by the end of the year," said interim Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov. 

During the ceremony, the MiG-29s were redeployed from Plovdiv airport and resumed flying and combat operations at the 3rd Fighter Air Base Graf Ignatievo. In addition to the fighter aircraft, the new runway will now be able to land some of the largest American C-5 and C-17 strategic transport aircraft. The runway will also accommodate aerial refuelling tankers, according to the Ministry of Defence.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

PM Rosen Zhelyazkov: The first F-16 is a symbol of ideological change

At an official ceremony to welcome the first Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 fighter jet at the 3rd Air Base in Graf Ignatievo, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov pointed out that the new plane symbolizes the ideological change that began in..

published on 4/13/25 2:39 PM
Natalia Kiselova

Natalia Kiselova: A number of measures are needed for road safety

For road safety, it is not enough to change the law, as the measures must be much more, the Speaker of the National Assembly Natalia Kiselova, who attended the Palm Sunday celebration in Lovech, told journalists...

published on 4/13/25 12:05 PM

Protests across Bulgaria against the war on the roads

People from all over the country took to the streets to demand stopping the war on the roads and stricter penalties for those who cause accidents. The cause of their anger was the death of 12-year-old Siyana, who died after a collision between a truck..

published on 4/13/25 10:45 AM