Doyrentsi Airfield

The closure was a direct result of the post-Cold War military reforms in Bulgaria. Key factors include: significant downsizing of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, severe economic constraints making the upkeep of numerous air bases unsustainable, and a strategic shift as Bulgaria prepared for NATO accession (achieved in 2004). The base was deemed redundant as flight training operations were consolidated at other, more modern facilities like Dolna Mitropoliya Air Base.

The site is abandoned in terms of aviation use and is in a state of significant disrepair. The runway and taxiways are cracked, deteriorated, and overgrown with vegetation. A large portion of the former airfield, including parts of the main runway and adjacent areas, has been repurposed and is now occupied by a large-scale photovoltaic power plant (solar farm). The remaining infrastructure, including hangars and support buildings, is derelict. The site is sometimes used for unauthorized activities like car drifting or as a subject for urban exploration.

Doyrentsi Airfield was a key military training facility for the Bulgarian Air Force. It primarily served as a satellite and training airfield for the 'Georgi Benkovski' Air Force Academy, which was based at the nearby Dolna Mitropoliya Air Base. Its main function was to support the initial and advanced flight training of cadets. Operations typically involved jet trainer aircraft, most notably the Aero L-29 Delfín and later the Aero L-39 Albatros. The airfield played a significant role in producing pilots for the Bulgarian Air Force throughout much of the Cold War era.

There are no known official plans or realistic prospects for reopening Doyrentsi Airfield for aviation purposes. The high cost of removing the existing solar farm, completely reconstructing the runway and all infrastructure, and the lack of strategic or commercial demand make such a project economically unviable. The Bulgarian Air Force's needs are met by other active bases, and there is insufficient private or commercial traffic in the region to justify its revival.