On 23 July 2019, the two commercial Airbus A321-200-211 aircraft, reg. marks G-TCDG and call sign TCX1NB of Thomas Cook Airlines Ltd and Boeing 737-800-8FN aircraft, reg. marks OK-TVM and call sign TVS3729 of Travel Service a. s were cruising in the Bulgarian airspace under the control of family sector VBL of the Sofia Area Control Centre (ACC).
At 08:30:55 h UTC the flight crew of TCX1NB, performing a charter flight from EGKK (London) to LBBG (Burgas) started a descent to FL150 to point ESENA after an instruction issued by EXE ATCO from the VBL sector. At 08:31:43 h UTC the flight crew of TVS3729 of Travel Service a. s., performing a charter flight from LBWN (Varna) to LFRS (Nantes) started a climb to FL 220 to point AMTOV after an instruction issued by EXE ATCO from the same sector VBL.
At 08 31 02 h, the MTCD (Medium Term Conflict Detection) of the Automated System SATCAS detected a potential conflict of the trajectories of TCX1NB and TVS3729, which was automatically displayed as red dot in the line zero on the track label of the two aircraft on the Controller Working Position of family sector VBL.
At 08:35:50, SATCAS generated visual indication in bright red colour with sound alarm for STCA between TCX1NB crossing FL209 in a descent and TVS3729 crossing FL206 in a climb.
The EXE ATCO issued a course of delayed instructions to move aircraft away.
On board an aircraft with the call sign TCX1NB the traffic alert and collision avoidance system was engaged in RA mode and it generated a “CLIMB” command. The flight crew stopped the descent and started to climb with the necessary vertical speed for safe passing.
On board an aircraft with the call sign, TVS3729 the traffic alert and collision avoidance system was not engaged in RA mode and the flight crew executed the instructions of the EXE ATCO.
At 08:36:02 h UTC, the standard for minimum radar separation was infringed and the closest point of approach between the two aircraft was reached 2,87 NM horizontally and 800 ft vertically.
On January 26, 2019, the Airbus A320-232aircraft, registration marks G-EUUL, operated by „ British Airways PLC“ was prepared for a flight from Sofia (LBSF) to London (EGLL). After completion of pre-flight ground service, the aircraft is pulled with a tug from the stand No3 on partially ice and snow-covered to the taxiway L. During pushback manoeuvre, the aircraft's engines was being started and were brought to ground idle mode. On slippery apron surfaces, the aircraft began to move slowly forward and collided in the pushing tug. The nose gear and the inlet cowl of engine No 2 nacelle of the aircraft have been damaged. The damage to the aircraft did not allow the flight to be performed.
There were no consequences for the flight crew, the passengers and the ground handling crew. The flight was cancelled and the passengers were returned to the terminal
On July 18, 2017, an Airbus A320-232 with registration marks SX-ORG of Greek airline operator “ORANGE2FLY” performed a regular charter flight under call sign TVS1482 on behalf of AO “Smart Wings” from Brno to Burgas (LKTB – LBBG). At an altitude of 1292 ft on final approach for RWY 04, a Green Hydraulic Low Level fault due to fluid leakage led to a Green hydrdraulic pressure failure, which the aircraft suffered at an altitude of 740 ft. After touchdown, the aircraft departed control flight, at about the middle of the runaway length uncontrollably veered to the right, leaving the asphalt surface and stopped in the soft ground in front of the apron. All 179 passengers and 6 crewmembers without injuries left the aircraft normally by mobile stairs. Airplane received some minor damages on the landing gear and the left engine. The emergency plan of Burgas Airport has been activated and it remains closed for 3 hours and 27 minutes. During this time, the arriving traffic was diverted to alternates in Bulgaria and to neighbour countries..