Ekzarh Antimovo Cropduster Strip

The closure was for economic reasons, directly linked to the collapse of the socialist state-run agricultural system. The airstrip was built to serve large, collective farms (TKZS). With the transition to a market economy, the privatization of land, and the dissolution of the state's agricultural aviation fleet, the infrastructure became obsolete and economically unviable.

The site is completely abandoned and derelict. Satellite imagery confirms the existence of a single paved runway, which is now severely cracked, weathered, and being reclaimed by vegetation. There are no standing buildings, hangars, or other facilities on the site. The surrounding area is actively cultivated farmland, and the airstrip itself is unused for any purpose.

Ekzarh Antimovo was a typical agricultural airstrip ('Selskostopansko Letishte') from the socialist era of the People's Republic of Bulgaria. It was one of hundreds in a dense, nationwide network dedicated to supporting industrialized agriculture. Its primary function was to handle crop-dusting aircraft, most notably the Antonov An-2, for the aerial application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers over the vast, state-owned fields in the region. Its significance lies in being a physical remnant of this centralized economic model and a testament to the scale of agricultural aviation in the former Eastern Bloc.

There are no known plans or realistic prospects for reopening the airstrip. The original purpose for its existence is gone, and modern agricultural methods often rely on more advanced ground equipment or drones. The cost of restoring the runway and the lack of demand for general aviation in this specific rural location make its reactivation highly improbable. The site will likely remain abandoned or eventually be fully converted back into agricultural land.