The first helipad in Sofia is now part of the helicopter emergency medical service

The first officially registered helipad in Sofia is now part of the emergency air ambulance service. Today, January 22, the director of St. Anna's Hospital in Sofia received the documents from the transport minister.

"St. Anna's Hospital has built the helicopter landing site years ago, helicopters have landed here, but this is something completely different because now it is part of a national air emergency system," said Slavcho Bliznakov, executive director of St. Anna Hospital.

"We are waiting for the helicopter to be registered in the database for civil aircraft in Bulgaria, for the operator to receive its licence, and for the helicopter to receive its airworthiness certificate," Transport Minister Georgi Gvozdeykov said.

"The first year, the helicopter will be flying during daytime, from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. All parts of the country will be covered with air ambulance service in mid-2026, when the last helicopter under the Recovery and Resilience Plan is due to be delivered at the end of April 2026," said Ilko Getov, deputy minister of health.

Weather permitting, the first helicopter is due to arrive from Italy on January 31, Minister Gvozdeykov explained yesterday.

PM presents certificates to the first pilots of air ambulance helicopters in Bulgaria