Pencho Milkov: Small airports have a key role in the development of regions

Tuesday, 02 June 2026

The Mayor of Ruse, Pencho Milkov, participated in the sixth edition of the Green Transition Forum - a leading international platform for Central and Eastern Europe, dedicated to the new strategic agenda of Europe and the challenges facing sustainable development, competitiveness and innovation. The event brought together representatives of European institutions, national and local authorities, business, academia and the expert community.
The participation of the Municipality of Ruse took place at the initiative of the Chairman of the Association of the Bulgarian Aviation Industry, Todor Ivandzhikov, who invited Pencho Milkov to join the panel "Small airports, big impact: a balance between sustainable connectivity, economic sustainability and regional development".
During the discussion, Ivandzhikov recalled the beginning of the joint work with the Municipality of Ruse on the development of Ruse Airport. "A few years ago, Pencho Milkov contacted me with the desire to discuss the possibilities for the restoration and development of the airport in Ruse. This impressed me, because it is rare for a mayor to personally seek expert support for such a cause. I saw a person with a clear vision for the future of his city and with a desire to return one of Bulgaria's significant airports to active life," said Todor Ivandzhikov.
According to him, it is the consistency and commitment of the local government that are among the main factors for the progress of the project in recent years. "When the state moves more slowly, the local government is often the one that gives impetus to development. Ruse is an example of how, with vision and partnership, real prerequisites can be created for the restoration of strategic infrastructure of importance for the entire region," added the chairman of the Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association.
In his speech, Pencho Milkov emphasized the importance of regional connectivity as a key factor for economic growth and increasing the competitiveness of regions. “I am honored that Ruse is part of this conversation about the future of regional connectivity in Europe. The topic of small airports is related to both aviation and the opportunities for regional progress, attracting investment, creating jobs and improving access to economic and social opportunities,” said the mayor of Ruse.
He emphasized the strategic location of the city as an important transport, industrial and logistics center on the Danube and a natural connection between Bulgaria and Europe. The mayor presented the vision of the Ruse Municipality for the development of Ruse Airport as part of an integrated transport and logistics system that would contribute to improving regional connectivity, economic sustainability and investment attractiveness of the region.
“Ruse Airport is not just an infrastructure facility. It is part of the long-term vision for the progress of Northern Bulgaria and a tool for creating new opportunities for business, investors and citizens,” Milkov pointed out. He presented the main guidelines in the prepared General Plan for the airport, which envisages a phased modernization of the infrastructure and the creation of conditions for servicing regional passenger flights, logistics activities, light aviation and innovative solutions in the field of air transport.
In the long term, it is planned to focus on the capacity to service Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 class aircraft, the implementation of an instrument landing system (ILS) and achieving the relevant international safety and operation standards.
Special attention was paid to the innovative solutions included in the airport development concept. Among them are preparations for the use of sustainable aviation fuels, energy efficiency measures, as well as the construction of a specialized area for unmanned aerial vehicles. In this regard, the prospect of a partnership with the Bulgarian company Dronamics in the field of cargo drone transport was noted.
"Ruse Airport is a means of greater economic opportunities and connectivity.

If Europe seeks truly balanced development, it must pay attention not only to large transport hubs, but also to cities like Ruse, which have a strategic location, industrial potential and a clear vision for development," the mayor added.

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