Shtraklevo Airstrip

The closure was due to economic reasons. The primary operator, Balkan Bulgarian Airlines, faced financial collapse after the fall of communism, which led to the cancellation of most domestic routes, including the one to Ruse. The airport could not attract new carriers and became economically unsustainable without the state-subsidized traffic, leading to its eventual abandonment.

The airport is currently abandoned and in a derelict state. The 2,500-meter runway, taxiways, and apron are still visible but are cracked, overgrown with vegetation, and unusable for aviation without a complete overhaul. The terminal building and other structures are decaying and have been vandalized over the years. The site is fenced off but has been known to be used unofficially for car gatherings, drag racing, and driver training.

The airport, more formally known as Ruse Airport (ICAO: LBPD when active), was built in 1967. It was initially a significant military airbase for the Bulgarian Air Force during the Cold War, housing fighter jets. It was later converted into a dual-use and then a primary civil airport for the Ruse province, a major industrial and port city on the Danube. It handled scheduled domestic passenger flights, with the Ruse-Sofia route being the most important, operated by aircraft like the Antonov An-24 and Tupolev Tu-134. It also served as a hub for agricultural aviation (crop dusting) for the fertile region of the Danubian Plain.

There are persistent and long-standing plans to revive and reopen the airport. The Municipality of Ruse, which has acquired ownership of the property from the state, is actively seeking investment and government funding for its reconstruction. The strategic goal is to create a regional airport for low-cost passenger carriers, cargo, and general aviation, capitalizing on Ruse's economic potential and proximity to Romania. Numerous feasibility studies have been conducted, but the high cost of renovation and the competitive challenge from the nearby major international airport in Bucharest (OTP) have so far prevented any concrete progress. As of early 2024, it remains a key political and economic ambition for the region, but with no definitive timeline or secured funding for reconstruction to begin.