The strategic partnership announced last March between German-Turkish leisure airline SunExpress and Bulgarian carrier Electra Airways has unexpectedly ended after only one season. With the early termination of the agreement, which was intended to last three years, flights from seven German airports to Bulgaria’s tourist destinations Burgas and Varna have been cancelled.
A One-Season Partnership Comes to an End
The cooperation was announced at ITB Berlin in March 2024, with operations officially starting with the beginning of the May 2025 season.
Under the model:
- SunExpress handled all commercial processes, including sales, marketing and flight planning,
- Electra Airways operated the flight operations.
This structure, designed to meet the rising tourist demand for the Black Sea coast, was modelled on SunExpress’s successful collaboration with Air Cairo. However, the separation after just one summer season suggests possible factors such as operational incompatibilities, economic disagreements or unmet demand expectations between the parties.
Flights Cancelled at Seven German Airports
The cancelled flights covered both major and regional airports in Germany:
Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Hannover, Cologne/Bonn, Leipzig
On the Bulgarian side, the affected destinations were Burgas and Varna, both popular among German package holiday travellers.
Passengers who have made reservations for these routes for the upcoming season will need to seek alternative options.
No Comment from Either Party, Industry Experts Skeptical
SunExpress and Electra Airways have not made any statements regarding the reason behind the termination of the agreement.
Aviation industry analysts consider possible reasons such as:
- Lower-than-expected ticket demand,
- Operational disruptions,
- Economic disagreements
as likely factors on the table.
Gap in Tourist Traffic Expected
The flight cancellations have created a noticeable gap in direct flight options from Germany to Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. For the new season, travellers—particularly those on package holidays—are expected to turn to alternative airlines or connecting flights.
