Bids in to operate main airport in Bulgaria capital of Sofia

Five international investors are bidding for a 35-year concession to operate the main ?irport in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia.

Bulgaria's transport ministry said Thursday that all five bidders met the tender requirements. As well as paying an annual lease to the Bulgarian government, the winner is required to expand the existing terminal and build a new one.

The five bidders include a consortium led by France's Aeroports de Paris, the local subsidiary of German airport operator Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide, and Manchester Airports Group in a tie-up with China's construction firm BCEG.

Transport Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said the winner of the tender will be announced next month.

According to official figures, Sofia airport has handled 7 million passengers and 22,000 tons of cargo in 2018.