Sapareva Banya, BG 🇧🇬 Closed Airport
BG-0170
-
2149 ft
BG-10
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 42.311254° N, 23.246098° E
Continent: EU
Type: Closed Airport
Keywords: LB22 Kraynitsi Sapareva Banya
It appears there are no recent traveler reviews or experiences available for Stanke Dimitrov Air Base (BG-0170) in Sapareva Banya, BG, in the context of commercial passenger travel. Research indicates that Stanke Dimitrov Air Base is a defunct airport. While there is a privately operated Sapareva Banya Airport in the area, it is primarily dedicated to general aviation, including flight training, scenic flights, skydiving, and ultra-light airplane experiences, rather than commercial passenger services. Therefore, information regarding terminal facilities, security wait times, customs/immigration, and transportation connections for commercial travelers is not applicable to this location.
Reviews found for Sapareva Banya generally pertain to private day trips to the town for its thermal waters and spa facilities, focusing on the quality of guides and transportation services from Sofia, not airport experiences.
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| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
07/25 |
8380 ft | 70 ft | ASP | Active |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|
Approximately 1998-2002. The exact date is not publicly documented, but the closure occurred during the major restructuring of the Bulgarian Armed Forces under 'Plan 2004', which saw numerous military bases decommissioned.
Military downsizing and strategic restructuring. Following the end of the Cold War and in preparation for Bulgaria's accession to NATO, the Bulgarian Air Force underwent significant consolidation. The base, primarily a training facility, was considered redundant and was closed to reduce operational costs and concentrate forces at fewer, more modern locations.
The site is no longer an airport and is in a state of advanced decay. A significant portion of the former airfield, including large sections of the runway and taxiways, has been repurposed and is now covered by a large-scale photovoltaic (solar) power plant. The remaining infrastructure, such as hangars and administrative buildings, is largely derelict, though some areas may be used for light industrial or agricultural storage. The runway is completely unusable for any aviation purposes.
Stanke Dimitrov Air Base was a key training facility for the Bulgarian Air Force. It was home to the 11th Training Air Regiment (11-ти учебен авиополк). The primary mission of the base was the initial and basic jet training for new generations of military pilots. Operations were centered around a fleet of jet trainer aircraft, most notably the Czechoslovakian-made Aero L-29 Delfín and later the Aero L-39 Albatros. For decades during the Cold War, nearly every Bulgarian jet pilot passed through this base, making it a cornerstone of the country's military aviation training infrastructure within the Warsaw Pact.
There are no known plans or credible prospects for reopening the site as an airport. The installation of the extensive solar farm on the core aviation surfaces presents a significant and likely permanent obstacle to any potential restoration. The cost to remove the solar park and rebuild the dilapidated infrastructure would be prohibitive. Furthermore, with Sofia Airport (SOF) relatively nearby, there is no economic or strategic demand for another airport in the region.