Bulgaria's Compass Cargo Airlines launches, outlines plans

Bulgaria's Compass Cargo Airlines adds first B747

Compass Cargo Airlines (HQ, Sofia) took delivery of its first widebody freighter, a B747-400FSCD, on transfer from sister company AirACT (9T, Istanbul Atatürk).

Although LZ-CJA (msn 26559) features Compass's full livery, it has yet to be redeployed into revenue service. The aircraft was operated as TC-MCT by AirACT through July 11, most recently on a long-term ACMI placement with Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad International) flying out of Doha Hamad International. It was ferried from Qatar to Istanbul on July 11, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows.

The Bulgarian cargo specialist, which currently operates four B737-800(SF)s, is backed by Daglar Cizmeci, a Turkish tycoon who also owns AirACT. The Turkish carrier, in turn, continues to operate two B747-400(BDSF)s and two B747-400ERFs.

Compass Cargo Airlines did not respond to ch-aviation's request for comment regarding its plans for the B747 and future fleet growth strategy.

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Brussels backs €30.7mn Covid aid to Bulgarian carriers

The European Commission has approved EUR30.7 million euros (USD33.7 million) in direct Bulgarian government grants as support for the country’s airlines covering the first two years of the coronavirus pandemic, the European Union’s executive branch said in a statement on Friday, March 18.

The aid scheme consists of two types of support, the first providing assistance “for the uncovered fixed costs for air carriers that suffered a decline in turnover between March 2020 and December 2021 of at least 30% compared to the same period of 2019.” The second consists of more limited amounts of aid for companies that suffered a decline in turnover lower than 30%.

The scheme, which the commission said was in line with the temporary Covid-era relaxation in state aid rules, will be open to airlines of all sizes holding a Bulgarian operating licence. The purpose, it added, is to address the liquidity needs of these companies and to help them continue their activities during and after the pandemic.

The aid will not exceed EUR12 million (USD13.2 million) per beneficiary under the first...

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