A major European airport is set for a huge transformation, with plans for a new ￡214 million terminal aimed at handling 20 million passengers a year.

       Sofia Airport in Bulgaria has revealed its vision for Terminal 3, which will be connected to the existing Terminal 2.

       The 65,000-square-metre facility will allow all gates to be accessible within five minutes from the shopping area, and new security checkpoints will be able to process 3,250 passengers per hour.

       The project is part of Sofia Airport’s bid to become one of Europe’s five-star regional airports, an accreditation awarded by SkyTrax to recognise exceptional customer facilities and service.

       There are currently only seven five-star regional airports worldwide, while Munich, Rome Fiumicino, and Istanbul are the only airports in Europe to receive the top rating.

       READ MORE: The world's largest man-made island airport - ￡3bn and 14 soccer pitches in size

       Construction of the state-of-the-art terminal is set to begin this year, with an opening date scheduled for 2031.

       Sofia Airport welcomed 7.2 million passengers in 2023, but its capacity is expected to more than double with the new terminal.

       The expansion will feature 35 gates across both terminals and include facilities such as kids’ play areas and dog-friendly zones.

       Jesus Caballero Pinto, the CEO of Sofia Airport operator SOF Connect, said: "We want to be Europe’s best regional airport."

       The airport is also looking to expand its network by securing flights with more low-cost airlines.

       Don't miss...

       The incredible ￡145mn plan to reopen UK airport that was abandoned for 3 years [LATEST]

       Ryanair launches new flights to beautiful European city [INSIGHT]

       Africa's abandoned airport that served 250m passengers - now it's a 'ghost town' [REVEAL]

       Ryanair and Wizz Air already operate from Sofia, and the recent removal of border controls for air and sea travel under the Schengen Agreement is expected to attract more international routes.

       Mr. Caballero added: "What we are now noticing, what we are now talking about with airlines, especially with the third countries and non-Europe destinations, is increasing appetite to open flights to Sofia, thanks to the Schengen accession."

       Currently, British tourists can fly to Sofia in just over three hours, with Ryanair sometimes offering flights from Birmingham and London Stansted for as little as ￡14.99.

       The five-star transformation is backed by a ￡512 million investment over the airport’s concession period.

       The modern design of Terminal 3 is inspired by Bulgaria’s landscapes, blending contemporary architecture with sustainability and energy-efficient features.

       The terminal will be optimised for all passengers, including business, leisure, and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travellers.

       Features will include self-service kiosks, faster baggage handling, and digital security processing to improve efficiency.

       The project is expected to boost Bulgaria’s economy, with a 0.5% increase in GDP for every 10% rise in air connectivity.

       Transport Minister Krassimira Stoyanova said: "The project for the construction of the new Terminal 3 is a step towards the modern Sofia Airport, which we as a country and society expect and deserve."