50 years BULATSA

BULATSA is celebrating its 50th anniversary today. On 3 February 1969, with Ordinance No. 37 of the Council of Ministers, was established Directorate “Air Traffic Control” (ATC) as a separate, independent organizational structure within the State Economic Association “Bulgarian Civil Aviation”, with the main task of providing and servicing the air traffic in the airspace of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The main subject of activity of the enterprise is the safe air traffic management and for these 50 years it has become one of the leading air navigation services providers in our region.

In the last few years the traffic over Bulgaria has drastically increased and, in 2018 alone, BULATSA (Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority) serviced over 800 000 aircraft. Also increasing is the interest to the profession of air traffic controller and the recruitment campaign.

The program for modernization of the operational systems and technical equipment in BULATSA will continue in the following years in accordance with the approved “Strategy for Development of BULATSA Communication, Navigation and Surveillance, and Automated Air Traffic Management Aids and Systems for the Period 2017-2024”.

On the occasion of the jubilee will be validated a postage stamp and the emblematic BULATSA Control Tower at Sofia Airport is branded with a festive logo made especially for the anniversary.

The vision of BULATSA is to be among the leaders in the field of air navigation services in Europe and to successfully develop and meet the challenges posed by the new realities of the Single European Sky. The round anniversary will be celebrated throughout the year with various initiatives related to the profession of Air Traffic Controller and the aviation community, under the motto “50 Years Mapping Pathways in the Skies”.