SOF Connect
SOF Connect AD operates Bulgaria's largest international airport (Sofia Airport / Vasil Levski) under a 35-year concession, handling 8.4 million passengers across 90 destinations. Wholly owned by Meridiam, with Munich Airport as operational partner, it manages terminals, parking, retail, lounge, and advertising via third-party tenants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersSofia, Bulgaria
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What SOF Connect does
SOF Connect AD is a Bulgarian joint-stock company (aktsionerno druzhestvo) that holds a 35-year concession, effective April 2021, to operate Sofia Airport (Vasil Levski), Bulgaria's largest international airport. The company is 100% owned by French infrastructure investment fund Meridiam, with Munich Airport providing operational and technical expertise. In 2025 the airport handled a record 8.4 million passengers across nearly 90 destinations and 25+ airlines including Ryanair, Wizz Air, Bulgaria Air, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Qatar Airways.
The company's core operational product is end-to-end airport management across two terminals (Terminal 1 at 15,000 sqm and Terminal 2 at 56,850 sqm) serving departing, arriving, and transit passengers. Technology components include a SITA-built AI-powered airport operations management platform deployed in 2026 that coordinates real-time processes, an automated four-stage baggage sorting system, 36 self-service check-in counters, a 3,600-meter Category IIIB runway, parking occupancy systems updated every 10 minutes, and an AI passenger assistance chatbot. Underlying infrastructure modernization is funded by a EUR 450 million debt facility placed in May 2026 (22-year maturity), supporting Terminal 3 construction beginning autumn 2026 and a EUR 624 million total investment commitment over the concession.
SOF Connect generates revenue through a diversified mix: airport concession and licensing fees, parking across six facilities (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, VIP, totaling approximately 2,500+ spaces) priced at unit rates from EUR 3/hour to EUR 100/week, business lounge access (EUR 60/visit Primeclass at Terminal 2 operated by TAV under a 10-year concession), duty-free and travel retail operated by Avolta, advertising on LED screens and digital totems, car rental commissions (12 partners), F&B concessions, ground handling coordination (Swissport, Aviapartner, Goldair), and ancillary passenger services (baggage wrapping, currency exchange, VAT refunds, PRM assistance). The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified, achieved ACI World Customer Experience Accreditation Level 3 in May 2026, and won the ACI EUROPE HR Excellence Award 2026 in June 2026.
SOF Connect firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SOF Connect
- Legal name
- SOF Connect AD
- Website
- https://sofia-airport.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- SOF Connect AD operates Bulgaria's largest international airport (Sofia Airport / Vasil Levski) under a 35-year concession, handling 8.4 million passengers across 90 destinations. Wholly owned by Meridiam, with Munich Airport as operational partner, it manages terminals, parking, retail, lounge, and advertising via third-party tenants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SOF Connect industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Airport Operations
- NAICS
- Airport Operations (48811), Other Airport Operations (488119)
- SIC
- Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Airport Food & Beverage Concessions (THABALAD)
Keywords
Where SOF Connect is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sofia
- HQ country
- Bulgaria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
SOF Connect business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Concession and Licensing Fees: Long-term 35-year concession for Sofia Airport operations. Revenue from commercial concessions, retail space rentals, and licensing agreements with service providers operating at the airport.
- Parking Services: Revenue from multiple parking facilities (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, VIP parking) with varying price points for short-term and long-term parking.
- Business Lounge Access: Primeclass Lounge at Terminal 2 offering 60€ per person access fee for individual visitors. Revenue from lounge access, airline partnership agreements, and loyalty program memberships.
- Advertising and Commercial Space: High-efficiency advertising solutions including LED screens, digital totems, light boxes and non-standard formats in strategic terminal locations. Revenue from advertising contracts and commercial space rentals.
- Car Rental Partnerships: Partnerships with multiple car rental companies (Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, etc.) providing commission or rental space revenue.
- Passenger Services: Services including baggage wrapping, VAT refunds processing, currency exchange, and special assistance for passengers with reduced mobility.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Primeclass Business Lounge access for individual visitors |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Terminal 1 Parking P1 - Open parking near Terminal 1 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Comfort Parking P2 - Covered parking with direct Terminal 2 access |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Economy Parking P4 - Budget long-term parking |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Short-term Parking P5 - For pick-up/drop-off |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | VIP Parking - Premium parking near VIP lounge |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Baggage Wrapping Service |
| Subscription | Annual | Parking Promotion Code |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels6 records
SOF Connect product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SOF Connect AD is the licensed operator of Sofia Airport (Vasil Levski), Bulgaria's largest international airport, under a 35-year concession starting April 2021. The company manages two passenger terminals, parking facilities, business lounges, retail and food & beverage outlets, advertising infrastructure, and coordinates ground handling services for more than 25 airlines serving over 90 destinations. Total planned investment under the concession is 624 million EUR, with a recently secured 450 million EUR financing for Terminal 3 construction and infrastructure modernization.
Product overview
SOF Connect operates Sofia Airport (Vasil Levski) as a comprehensive passenger service platform managing two terminals across the entire passenger journey. The core offering includes real-time flight information services covering 85+ destinations via 25 airlines. Supporting services are delivered through a network of branded modules: Primeclass Business Lounge (premium lounge with 222-guest capacity), multiple parking facilities (P1-P5 and VIP with 2,500+ total spaces and real-time occupancy tracking), duty-free and retail shopping (Avolta), diverse food and beverage outlets (Italian, Bulgarian, and international cuisine), car rental services (12 partner brands), and ground transportation coordination (metro, bus, taxi). The airport served a record 8.4 million passengers in 2025 and is undergoing modernization including Terminal 3 construction.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Primeclass Business Lounge Premium airport lounge at Terminal 2 offering 540 sqm interior and 450 sqm outdoor terrace with capacity for 222 guests. Includes comfortable seating, bar service, business zones, meeting rooms, children's area, and free high-speed Wi-Fi with panoramic runway views. Accessible to individual visitors at 60 EUR per person, airline loyalty program members, and lounge access card holders (Priority Pass, LoungeKey, DragonPass, LoungeMe).
- Parking Services Six distinct parking facilities at Sofia Airport: P1 (Terminal 1, 400 spaces), P2 Covered Comfort Parking (930 spaces with direct Terminal 2 access), P3 Standard (422 spaces), P4 Economy (496 spaces for budget long-term stays), P5 Short-term (135 spaces), and VIP Parking (74 spaces). Features real-time occupancy tracking updated every 10 minutes and online reservation system with promotional codes.
- Duty-Free and Travel Retail Duty-free and travel retail shops operated by Avolta (formerly Dufry) offering luxury perfumes, cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco, accessories, and toys at tax-free prices. Located at Terminal 2 (24/7) and Terminal 1, featuring 7 new self-checkout counters and the Club Avolta loyalty program for frequent travelers.
- Food and Beverage Outlets
Quantifiable outcome
- 8.4 million passengers served in 2025 - record number
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SOF Connect
Customer profileNamed customers23 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
SOF Connect technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability4 records
Feature4 records
SOF Connect partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- TAV Operation ServicescoreTurkish company operating the Primeclass Lounge at Terminal 2 under a 10-year concession contract involving approximately 1 million EUR investment (700,000 EUR from TAV, 300,000 EUR from SOF Connect). Replaced previous operator Swissport Bulgaria.
- Munich AirportcoreAirport operator providing knowledge, experience, and best practices for the transformation of Sofia Airport. Serves as the airport operations partner and technical advisor for the 35-year concession period.
- SITAcoreGlobal technology leader in the aviation industry. Partnership to implement advanced AI-powered airport operations management system for real-time coordination and management of main airport processes and infrastructure.
- Swissport BulgariacoreGround handling company providing services for airlines including Bulgaria Air, Air Serbia, Corendon Airlines, Qatar Airways, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, and Swiss at Sofia Airport.
- Aviapartner BulgariacoreGround handling company providing services for airlines including British Airways, El AL, Enter Air, Israir, Wind Rose, Onur Air, European Air Charter, Eurowings, Pegasus Airlines, Sunexpress at Sofia Airport.
- Goldair Handling BulgariacoreGround handling company providing services for Wizz Air, EasyJet, Ryanair, Turkish Airlines, Aeroflot, Olympic Air, LOT, TAROM, Fly Dubai, and BH Air at Sofia Airport.
- Yellow!coreOfficial taxi company contracted by SOF Connect for airport taxi services. Yellow! cars are available at taxi stands and offices in arrival halls of both terminals.
- Car Rental Companies (Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, and others)core11 car rental companies operating at the airport: Avis, Budget, Choice Rent a car, Easy Rent Bulgaria, Alamo/Enterprise/National, Europcar, Low Cost Cars, Hertz, Moto-Pfohe, Sixt, Thrifty, Top Rent-a-car.
- Avolta (formerly Dufry)coreGlobal leader in travel retail operating duty-free and travel retail stores at Sofia Airport. Provides luxury perfumes, cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco, and accessories. Installed 7 new self-checkout counters at Terminal 2.
- Sofia Metro (Line 3)minorMetro connection operated by Sofia Metropolitan Railway connecting the airport to the city center, Central Railway Station, and residential districts including ' Druzhba', 'Mladost', 'Lyulin', 'Hadji Dimitar', and 'Gorna Banya'.
- Kiwi (Online Travel Agency)minorPartnership for online flight ticket sales providing preferential pricing and convenient access to flight bookings for passengers.
- Sofia Urban Mobility CentreminorPartnership for bus transportation services including lines 84 and N4 connecting the airport to the city center.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SOF Connect competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Fraport AG: Fraport operates Frankfurt Airport plus a global portfolio of airport concessions (including ownership of 100% of Sofia Airport's operational partner, Munich Airport, via partial ownership). It is the closest large-cap European peer with comparable concession models and non-aeronautical revenue mix.
- Groupe ADP (Aéroports de Paris): Operates Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly, and Paris-Le Bourget, plus a global network of airport investments. Comparable as a benchmark for European airport operational metrics and concession-style asset management.
- AENA SME: World's largest airport operator by passenger volume, managing 46+ airports across Spain and holding stakes in international concessions including London Luton. Comparable in non-aeronautical revenue intensity and operational scale benchmarking.
Direct peers
- Flughafen Wien AG (Vienna Airport): Listed operator of Vienna Airport, a Central European hub with a comparable catchment population and airline mix. Vienna is the strongest direct regional competitor for connecting traffic and a comparable peer in size, business model, and route structure.
- TAV Airports Holding: TAV operates airport concessions across Turkey, Tunisia, North Macedonia, Georgia, and other emerging markets under similar build-operate-transfer models. TAV is also the operational partner for SOF Connect's Primeclass Lounge, making it both a peer and partner in airport service delivery.
- Swedavia AB: State-owned operator of Sweden's 10 state-owned airports including Stockholm Arlanda, a comparable mid-size European hub operator with similar air service development mandates and capacity expansion requirements.
- Avinor AS: Norway's state-owned airport operator managing 44 airports, comparable as a publicly-mandated regional airport network operator focused on connectivity, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
- ANA Aeroportos de Portugal: Operates 10 Portuguese airports under a 50-year concession granted in 2012 to VINCI Airports, with a comparable mid-sized European airport portfolio and similar tourist-and-business traffic mix.
Emerging players
- GMR Airports Limited: Indian airport operator with concessions at Delhi, Hyderabad, and other emerging-market hubs. Comparable in emerging-market concession model, capacity-led capex cycle, and revenue diversification trajectory.
- COPA Holdings (Tocumen International Airport): Operates Tocumen International Airport in Panama City under a similar single-asset hub model. Comparable as an emerging-market hub with strong non-aeronautical revenue development and capacity-led growth narrative.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SOF Connect compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
SOF Connect financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SOF Connect leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
SOF Connect funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SOF Connect M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SOF Connect
What does SOF Connect do?
SOF Connect AD is the licensed operator of Sofia Airport (Vasil Levski), Bulgaria's largest international airport, under a 35-year concession starting April 2021. The company manages two passenger terminals, parking facilities, business lounges, retail and food & beverage outlets, advertising infrastructure, and coordinates ground handling services for more than 25 airlines serving over 90 destinations. Total planned investment under the concession is 624 million EUR, with a recently secured 450 million EUR financing for Terminal 3 construction and infrastructure modernization.
Is SOF Connect a public or private company?
SOF Connect is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was SOF Connect founded?
SOF Connect was founded in 2021. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is SOF Connect based?
SOF Connect is headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria, in the Europe region.
How does SOF Connect make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Concession and Licensing Fees are the primary driver. The others are parking Services, business Lounge Access, advertising and Commercial Space, car Rental Partnerships and passenger Services.
Who are SOF Connect's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Fraport AG, Groupe ADP (Aéroports de Paris) and AENA SME. Direct peers are Flughafen Wien AG (Vienna Airport), TAV Airports Holding, Swedavia AB, Avinor AS and ANA Aeroportos de Portugal. Emerging players are GMR Airports Limited and COPA Holdings (Tocumen International Airport).
Does SOF Connect have an API?
No public API is recorded for SOF Connect.
What industry is SOF Connect in?
SOF Connect's product category is Airport Operations. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABALAD, Airport Food & Beverage Concessions. Its NAICS code is 48811 and its SIC code is 4581.