Gita, BG 🇧🇬 Closed Airport
BG-0105
-
591 ft
BG-24
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 42.19406° N, 25.43875° E
Continent: EU
Type: Closed Airport
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Approximately 2001-2002
Military downsizing and economic reasons following the end of the Cold War. The airfield was a Bulgarian Air Force base, and with the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, Bulgaria underwent a major restructuring and reduction of its armed forces. The base was deemed strategically redundant and too costly to maintain. The 21st Fighter Aviation Regiment stationed at Gita was officially disbanded, leading to the closure of the airfield.
The site is fully decommissioned and is no longer used for any official aviation activities. The former airbase has been partially repurposed for various commercial and industrial uses. A large photovoltaic (solar) power plant has been constructed on a significant portion of the airfield's land. The main runway and some taxiways, while in a state of disrepair, are frequently used to host sanctioned drag racing competitions and other motorsport events (e.g., 'Drag Racing Chirpan'). Some of the former military buildings, hangars, and hardened shelters have been sold or leased to private companies and are used for purposes such as agricultural storage (grain silos) and light industry.
Gita Airfield was a significant military airbase for the Bulgarian Air Force during the Cold War. It was home to the 21st Fighter Aviation Regiment (21-ви изтребителен авиополк), a key component of the 10th Composite Aviation Corps. The regiment primarily operated supersonic fighter aircraft, most notably the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (specifically MiG-21bis and MiG-21UM variants). Its strategic role was air defense for the southern regions of Bulgaria, protecting critical areas like Plovdiv and the Thracian Plain. The base was constructed as a typical Warsaw Pact installation, featuring a long, robust runway, extensive taxiways, dispersal areas, and numerous hardened aircraft shelters (HAS) designed to protect aircraft from a potential NATO attack.
There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening Gita Airfield for either military or civil aviation. The significant cost required to restore the decaying runway, taxiways, and support infrastructure to modern aviation standards is prohibitive. Furthermore, the partial sale and repurposing of the land for a large solar farm and other private enterprises present major logistical and legal barriers to any potential restoration project. The strategic military need for the base no longer exists, and the region is adequately served by other airports, such as Plovdiv Airport (LBPB), for any potential civil aviation demand.
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