State aviation operator (Bulgaria)

The state aviation operator (Bulgarian: Държавен авиационен оператор, until 23 February 2021 Aviation Detachment 28, Bulgarian: Авиоотряд 28) is an agency, subordinated to the Bulgarian government, which provides air transport for the President, Prime Minister and other high-ranking state officials.

State aviation operator

IATA ICAO Call sign — BGF BULGARIAN
Founded	1972 (1972)
Fleet size	5
Headquarters	Sofia, Bulgaria
Key people	Todor Boyadzhiev
Employees	c. 80
Website	www.sao.bg

History

Bulgarian Air Force Airbus A319

Bulgarian Air Force Falcon 2000

Bulgarian Air Force Tu-154M

After World War II, Bulgaria had no civil aviation or airplanes to service senior state administration and implementation of specific government tasks. After the end of the war, the only aircraft in the Bulgarian military, Heinkel He 111 bombers - were converted into passenger use. The need for civil aviation became more obvious in 1946, when the Bulgarian government delegation had to participate in international meetings related to the end of World War II. A Lisunov Li-2 was delivered by the Soviet Union to Bulgaria for use as a transport aircraft. It was assigned to the 16th Transport Air Base in Sofia to be used by the government, and refurbished with a sofa and radio receiver.

In 1956 two new Ilyushin Il-14 were delivered. Meanwhile, almost all governmental flights were executed by planes and crews sent by the USSR for this purpose.

On 23 February 2021, Air Detachment 28 changed its name to "State Aviation Operator".

Fleet

State aviation operator operates 1 Airbus A319, 1 Dassault Falcon 2000, 2 Helicopters Mi-8 and 1 AgustaWestland AW109.

Fleet of State aviation operator

Aircraft	Number	Orders	Passengers			Notes
			C	Y	Total
Airbus A319	1 (as of August 2019)	0	—	—	—	LZ-AOB
Dassault Falcon 2000	1	0	—	—	—	LZ-OOI
Mi-8	2	0	—	—	—	LZ-CAT ; LZ-CAN
AgustaWestland AW109	1	0	—	—	—	LZ-BMB

See also

• List of air transports of Heads of State and Government