Drone Disruptions at Sofia Airport: Flights Briefly Delayed

Sofia, Bulgaria – Operations at Vasil Levski Sofia Airport were briefly disrupted Sunday evening following the detection of three drones in the vicinity of the airfield. While no flights were diverted, one flight from Brussels experienced a 15-minute delay, according to airport officials.

Drone Sightings and Flight Impact

The first drone signal was detected at 11:03 p.m. On Sunday, with subsequent detections at 11:27 p.m. And 15 minutes after midnight. Authorities are currently investigating the origin and purpose of the drones, as it remains unclear who operated them and why they were flown near the airport.

Recent Drone Incidents at Sofia Airport

This incident follows a similar occurrence on March 7, when two flights were diverted due to drone activity at the same airport. Following that event, Chief Commissioner Lyubomir Nikolov, director of the Metropolitan Directorate of Internal Affairs, reported that an unmanned aerial vehicle was not detected on Saturday. However, the airport’s press center had previously announced the detection of two drones.

Investigation Reveals Amateur Photographer

The investigation into the March 7 incident revealed that a man, identified as a long-term employee (since 2008) of a German airline, was operating a radio station and camera near the airport. He claimed he was listening to air traffic control communications to capture professional photographs of aircraft taking off and landing. Vasil Levski Sofia Airport continues to work with authorities to ensure the safety and security of its airspace.

About Vasil Levski Sofia Airport

Vasil Levski Sofia Airport (IATA: SOF, ICAO: LBSF) is the primary international airport serving Bulgaria, located approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) east of the capital city, Sofia. According to Wikipedia, in 2025, the airport surpassed 8 million passengers for the first time, with 8,413,762 passengers traveling through its terminals. The airport serves as a hub for Bulgaria Air and an operating base for BH Air, European Air Charter, Ryanair, and Wizz Air.