Qatar Airways Leaves Bulgaria, Ending Direct Doha-Sofia Flights After 15 Years

Qatar Airways is ending its operations in Bulgaria, bringing an end to more than 15 years of direct flights between Doha and Sofia in a move that the country's tourism industry says will significantly weaken Bulgaria's air links with Asia, Africa, and Australia. According to Dimitrina Goranova, Vice Chair of the Association of Bulgarian Tour Operators and Travel Agents (ABTTA), the airline has already shut down its Sofia office, with employees laid off as part of the withdrawal. "This is a heavy blow for Bulgaria, for our connectivity with all of Asia, Africa and Australia, as well as for the tourism business," she said. ...