Sofia International Airport CEO Dismissed

The executive director of Sofia International Airport, Asen Tanchev, who was appointed less than a year ago, has been dismissed.

He will be replaced by Veselin Peikov under an order by recently appointed Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski.

Asen Tanchev started work at Coordination Center of Sofia Airport back in 1977. In 1996-2006, he held leading management positions at private companies. In 2006-2010, he work again for Sofia Airport including as the head of the Transfer Coordination Department and the Center for Information and Coordination.

Tanchev replaced Plamen Stanchev, who served as executive director of the airport since 2005, but quit office in the summer of 2010 without outlining any specific motives.

He was appointed by former Transport Minister Alexander Tsvetkov, who surprisingly resigned amid allegations of failed policies and lobbyist deals.

At the end of 2010 Sofia Airport recorded a profit of around BGN 14 M, close to the results of the previous year. The company failed to improve its financial performance despite the record-high number of passengers served at the airport last year. The less-than-expected flow of revenues was attributed to the tough competition on the market for ground services and fuel supplies.

The new executive director of Sofia Airport Veselin Peikov has been working at the airport since 1994 and has held various positions.

Until December 2010 he served as Director of "Information technology and support."

Holds a master degree in Civil Engineering from the Institute for Engineers in Civil Aviation in Kiev, Ukraine. Fluent in English and Russian.

"The main priority of the new CEO will be the implementation of new mechanisms in the management of the airport with the aim of improving its performance and financial results", said the transport ministry in a statement, circulated to the media.

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