Novi Pazar Airfield

The closure was a direct result of the large-scale military restructuring and downsizing of the Bulgarian Armed Forces following the end of the Cold War. As part of the 'Plan 2004' reforms, numerous military bases were deemed redundant or too expensive to maintain in the new strategic environment, leading to the disbandment of the air regiment stationed at Novi Pazar.

The airfield is closed and in a state of decay. A large portion of the site has been repurposed and is now home to a significant photovoltaic (solar) power plant, with solar panels covering extensive areas of the former base. The main runway, taxiways, and dispersal areas with their distinctive hardened aircraft shelters (HAS) are still visible but are crumbling and overgrown with vegetation. The site is not used for any aviation activities and is largely abandoned, apart from the solar farm operations and possible light agricultural or storage use in some of the peripheral buildings.

Novi Pazar Airfield was a significant military airbase for the Bulgarian Air Force during the Cold War. It was a key component of the Warsaw Pact's air defense network in the Balkans. The base was home to the 2nd Fighter Air Regiment (2-ри изтребителен авиополк), which was part of the 10th Mixed Air Corps. Its primary mission was air defense for the northeastern region of Bulgaria against potential threats from NATO (specifically Turkey) and over the Black Sea. The airfield operated various Soviet-era fighter aircraft throughout its history, including the MiG-17, MiG-19, and most notably, several variants of the MiG-21 (F-13, PFM, bis). It also served as a training facility, utilizing L-29 Delfin jet trainers.

There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening the airfield for any type of aviation (military, cargo, or general). The poor condition of the runway and infrastructure would require a massive investment to restore. Furthermore, the construction of the large solar farm on the premises presents a significant physical and financial obstacle, making a return to aviation operations highly improbable.