Ravnets Air Base

The closure was a direct result of major military reforms and downsizing of the Bulgarian Armed Forces in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This restructuring was part of Bulgaria's preparation for joining NATO, which involved consolidating military assets, retiring older Soviet-era equipment, and reducing the number of active air bases for economic and operational efficiency.

The site is currently abandoned and in a state of significant decay. The runway, taxiways, and hardened aircraft shelters remain but are crumbling and overgrown with vegetation. The area is not officially used for any purpose and has become a popular, albeit illegal, spot for car drifting, street racing, and urban exploration. The infrastructure has been subject to scavenging for scrap metal over the years.

Ravnets was a key strategic air base for the Bulgarian Air Force during the Cold War. It was home to the 15th Fighter Aviation Regiment and was tasked with the air defense of Bulgaria's southeastern border and Black Sea coastline, a critical front facing NATO member Turkey. The base operated various Soviet-era fighter aircraft, including the MiG-17, MiG-21, and, in its later years, the advanced MiG-29 'Fulcrum'. Its extensive infrastructure, including a long runway and numerous hardened aircraft shelters, made it one of the most important military airfields in the country.

There are no active or funded plans to reopen Ravnets Air Base as an operational airport. Over the years, various speculative proposals have been discussed, including converting it into a dedicated cargo airport, a hub for low-cost carriers to supplement Burgas Airport (LBBG), or redeveloping the land into an industrial park or logistics center. However, the high cost of renovating the derelict infrastructure to meet modern standards and its close proximity to the fully operational Burgas International Airport make any aviation-related reopening economically unviable at present.