A US military transport aircraft that landed at Sofia Airport arrived to collect remaining equipment left behind after the recent deployment of American tanker aircraft in Bulgaria, Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said.
According to Stoyanov, the aircraft’s presence at Vasil Levski Airport is part of a routine logistical operation following the withdrawal of the US military planes that had been temporarily stationed there.
“It is completely normal for the American side to send a transport plane to pick up the remaining equipment from the tanker aircraft. This is the reason for its stay,” the minister explained.
He also stressed that there are no restrictions preventing US military aircraft from using civilian airports in Bulgaria, saying such operations are carried out through established procedures and require the necessary diplomatic approvals.
“Nobody has banned the landing of American planes at any civilian airport. Subsequently, you will see aircraft not only from the US armed forces, but also from other allied countries and other countries. This is a completely normal practice,” Stoyanov said.
