Vardim Airfield

Primarily economic reasons. The airfield's existence was tied to the state-run agricultural aviation system ('Selskostopanska Aviatsiya') of the socialist era in Bulgaria. Following the political changes of 1989 and the subsequent transition to a market economy, the large agricultural cooperatives (TKZS) were dismantled. This led to the collapse of the centralized agricultural aviation model, eliminating the demand for the airfield's crop-dusting and agricultural support services, rendering it economically unviable.

The airfield is completely abandoned and non-operational. The asphalt runway is severely degraded, cracked, and largely overgrown with grass and weeds, making it unusable for any aircraft. The associated buildings, including hangars and administrative facilities, are derelict and in a state of ruin. In recent years, a significant portion of the airfield's territory, including parts of the former runway, has been redeveloped and is now occupied by a large photovoltaic (solar) power plant.

Vardim Airfield was a vital base for agricultural aviation in the fertile Danubian Plain, one of Bulgaria's primary grain-producing regions. Its main purpose was to serve the agricultural needs around the Svishtov municipality. Operations consisted almost exclusively of crop dusting, fertilization, and pest control. The fleet would have primarily consisted of rugged utility aircraft, most notably the Antonov An-2. It was not designed for passenger traffic or significant military use, but was a crucial component of the region's agricultural infrastructure during its active years.

None. There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Vardim Airfield for aviation purposes. The construction of the solar park on the site effectively prevents any future restoration of the runway. Furthermore, the original economic basis for its operation no longer exists, and there is insufficient demand for a small, local airfield in this specific location, especially with the larger, though underutilized, Gorna Oryahovitsa Airport (LGOZ) located about 50 km to the south.