Bulgaria Suspends Civilian Flights as US Military Aircraft Arrive
Sofia International Airport will temporarily suspend all civilian flights during two nighttime windows this weekend, February 23 and 24, to accommodate operations by US military aircraft. The restrictions, from 01:15 to 02:50 on February 23 and 01:05 to 03:35 on February 24, come as a substantial number of American military planes have been observed at the airport and nearby Vrazhdebna Air Base, according to data published on Flightradar24 and an official notice to airmen (NOTAM).
Increased US Military Presence
Photographs circulating on social media reveal a significant contingent of US military aircraft at Terminal 1 of Vasil Levski Airport. These include seven KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft, three C-17 and C-130 cargo planes and several Boeing 747s used for transporting personnel, as noted by former Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Milen Keremedchiev .
The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense and the US Embassy in Sofia have confirmed the presence of the aircraft, stating they belong to the US Air Force and are linked to NATO’s enhanced vigilance activities . Officials have refrained from providing operational specifics, citing security protocols.
Refueling Capabilities and Regional Context
The KC-135 Stratotanker plays a crucial role in extending the range of combat aircraft during long-distance missions by providing mid-air refueling . The deployment of these tankers, along with other US aircraft, coincides with a broader buildup of American air and naval assets across Europe and the Mediterranean . Six KC-135 Stratotankers are currently stationed at Rota Naval Station in Spain, and seven more are at Souda Bay Naval Station in Crete .
Speculation and Official Statements
While officials have not disclosed the specific purpose of the deployment, speculation has arisen regarding potential US actions involving Iran, particularly in light of increased American military presence in the Middle East . Both the US Embassy and the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense have clarified that the aircraft are not positioned in Bulgaria in preparation for action against Iran, but are instead participating in training exercises .
The airport has stated that the civilian flight suspensions are also partially due to scheduled runway maintenance .