Acting on the instructions of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, teams from three ministries are working to resolve the problem of Russian travellers stranded at Bourgas Airport. The ministries are those of Transport and Communications, Economy and Energy and Foreign Affairs. On September 9, Bulgaria Air cancelled all flights ordered by tour operator Alma Tour. The cancellations were the result of debts owed by Alma Tour.

Transport Minister Ivailo Moskovski is dealing with the situation on the ground, while Alma Tour and Bulgaria are negotiating about the resumption of operations. The companies have not yet agreed on resuming their financial relationship. So far, agreement has been reached only on transporting 180 Russian citizens to Moscow. The Bulgaria Air flight, scheduled for 3pm on September 10, is being paid for by a Russian tour operator.

Minister Moskovski said that if the two parties failed to reach consensus during their talks on September 10, the state would intervene to finance the transport of all the tourists. “This will lead to serious penalties for both companies, possibly including forfeiture of their licences,” Minister Moskovski said.

A Foreign Ministry team working on dealing with the situation arising from the fact that the visas of some of the foreign nationals had expired. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has made it clear if no agreement is reached, the licences of all those involved in the controversy must be confiscated.