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Sofia Airport

Sofia Airport

sofia-airport.eu
What is your customer experience with Sofia Airport?

Sofia Airport Overview

The generated data is based on reviews and questionnaires provided by PissedConsumer.com users.

Based on reviews, created with AI
Rating Distribution

1.5 star rating from 5 reviews, with 80% unfavorable and consumers mostly dissatisfied; recent warnings cite untrained security, car rental fraud, high prices, and billing concerns.

Positive Feedback

Positive notes are limited; about 20% of reviews are favorable, but no clear strengths are repeatedly reported.

Negative Feedback / Risk Areas

  • Repeated reports of discriminatory or rude security staff and poor handling at checkpoints.
  • Frequent Sofia Airport customer complaints about billing, website issues, and high price levels.
  • Multiple warnings about Easy Rent Bulgaria car rental fraud and refund disputes.
  • Operational problems like closed waiting rooms and slow customer service.

Key Takeaways for Future Customers

  • Check Sofia Airport reviews and document incidents with photos and receipts for claims.
  • Expect extra baggage checks and potential gate fees; keep proof of payments for refunds.
  • Research car rental vendors carefully and prepare to follow up with customer service or authorities if needed.
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Sofia Airport - Serious Concerns: Discrimination & Unfair Treatment
Sofia Airport - What is the problem with opening up the waiting room to wait there for...Sofia Airport - What is the problem with opening up the waiting room to wait... - Image 2
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Wahaj R

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Serious Concerns: Discrimination & Unfair Treatment

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Sofia Airport - Serious Concerns: Discrimination & Unfair Treatment

I have passed through Sofia Airport twice, and in both instances, I was singled out as a visibly non-white, non-EU passenger, but on 23 November (Sofia Bari, flight scheduled at 14:55), I experienced something deeply troubling. I had paid in advance for a cabin bag, confirmed its size using the official sizer, and followed Ryanair's baggage rules. Despite that, airport staff demanded 75 extra and held my passport and residence permit for a long time. I was forced to leave my bag behind before they returned my documents. This felt intimidatory, demeaning, and more punitive than procedural.

My concern is not just personal; there is a documented pattern of service failures at Sofia Airport:

In 2022, the airport launched a full investigation after Naomi Campbell publicly raised concerns of racial discrimination at the airport.

(Novinite)

In 2025, Bulgaria's aviation authority conducted emergency inspections of ground-handling companies operating there, citing numerous deficiencies in passenger service and announced fines. (Министерство на транспорта и съобщенията)

Ryanair gate staff are incentivized to identify oversized baggage: they receive bonuses for every bag they deem too large, and gate-check fees can reach 75. (The Guardian)

Advice to other non-white or non-EU travelers:

Document everything: measure your bag, keep receipts, take photos, and write down names or badge numbers. Be ready to escalate with written complaints (Sofia Airport management + Ryanair) if you face unfair or discriminatory behavior.

View full review

Preferred solution: I demand Sofia Airport to **return my bag to my address**, **refund all baggage fees for the three flights**, and issue a **public apology** for the discriminatory and racist treatment I endured.

1 comment
Guest

The item in your pic does not look like something RyanAir’s cabin bag policy allows for their basic fee. It in no way looks like a “backpack or handbag that fits under the seat in front of you”.

(per RyanAir policy). Hence, the extra charge. As for Miss Campbell, she pleaded guilty in 2008 to assault in an air rage incident with British Airways. So her “feelings” of being singled out in 2022 are only that.

HER feelings. She is hardly a model traveler. And yes, Bulgarian authorities investigated a drone incident and questioned Sofia airport’s security. That had NOTHING to do with RyanAir or it’s baggage size policies.

So you can make a subjective claim all you want when things don’t go your way.

You can piece-meal facts that have no relevance to the incident at hand and end up with the unsubstantiated false narrative you wrote. Do better.

Ender H Txy

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

*** behaviour of the security guard

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Dear Sir / Madam

Please find below my official complaint in both English and Bulgarian for your urgent attention

Моля вижте по-долу моята официална жалба както на английски, така и на български език за Вашето спешно внимание

To Whom It May Concern

On 15 September 2025, Monday, between 09:40 and 09:55 AM, I experienced a highly inappropriate and disrespectful incident during the security control procedure at Sofia International Airport. I am therefore filing this official complaint.

After completing the check-in for my flight to Istanbul, I proceeded to the upper floor security checkpoint. At the X-Ray control point, a female staff member approximately 20-22 years old with light brown hair and wearing a green cardholder behaved towards me in an unprofessional and unacceptable manner.

As I was about to pass through security, she told me in a degrading tone and unpleasant manner that I could not take my water bottle inside. She almost attempted to throw my bottle away herself. When I politely said that I would drink it and dispose of it myself, she turned her back in complete disregard and ignored me.

When I requested to speak with a responsible person, a bald male staff member came and introduced himself as the supervisor. However, instead of handling the situation with seriousness, he laughed and joked in Bulgarian with the aforementioned female staff member. Furthermore, when I asked for the name of the staff in question, he responded in a highly unprofessional and disrespectful way, repeatedly saying 'no name, no name,' and refused to provide any information. Afterwards, in what was clearly an act of retaliation, all of my belongings down to my socks, underwear, and the smallest compartments of my bags were searched in an excessive and humiliating manner.

This behavior is not only disturbing but also constitutes an abuse of authority. I specifically request that the CCTV footage from 15 September 2025 between 09:40 and 09:55 AM be reviewed, as it will fully confirm the accuracy of my statements.

Later, when I attempted to make an official complaint to another female staff member downstairs, she falsely claimed that she did not speak English, despite speaking English with another passenger only 10 minutes earlier. She refused to provide me with the name of any supervisor. Instead, my passport was unnecessarily checked again, and I was prevented from entering for the second time, causing me unjustified delay.

Such behavior is absolutely unacceptable for an international airport representing the State of Bulgaria. As a Police Chief in Ankara, Turkey, responsible for more than 40 police officers, I find these actions disgraceful and damaging to the professional reputation of your airport and your country.

I hereby request

1- An immediate internal investigation into this incident

2- Identification of the female staff member in question, X-Ray checkpoint, 15 September 2025, green cardholder

3- Disciplinary measures to be taken based on the findings

4- A written and official response to this complaint

I urge you to treat this matter with the seriousness it requires. Proper measures must be taken to ensure that no passenger is ever subjected again to such unprofessional and humiliating treatment.

At the time of the incident, I was wearing a light green shirt over a white T-shirt with black trousers and black shoes. With these details, I can be easily identified from the CCTV footage.

Sincerely

Ender Huz

Police Chief, Ankara, Turkey

Bulgarian Version

До когото може да се отнася

На 15 септември 2025 г., понеделник, между 09:40 и 09:55 ч. станах свидетел на крайно неподходящ и неуважителен инцидент по време на проверка за сигурност на Летище София. Поради това подавам настоящата официална жалба.

След като приключих с чекирането за полета си до Истанбул, се насочих към горния етаж на контролния пункт за сигурност. На рентгеновата проверка една служителка на възраст около 20-22 години със светлокафява коса и със зелен държач на карта се държеше към мен по непрофесионален и недопустим начин.

Когато се канях да премина през проверката, тя ми каза с унизителен тон и неприятно отношение, че не мога да вляза с бутилка вода. Дори почти се опита сама да изхвърли бутилката ми. Когато учтиво заявих, че ще я изпия и сам ще я изхвърля, тя напълно пренебрежително обърна гръб и ме игнорира.

Когато поисках да говоря с отговорно лице, дойде плешив мъж, който се представи за ръководител. Вместо да се отнесе сериозно към ситуацията, той се засмя и пошегува на български с въпросната служителка. Освен това, когато попитах за името на служителката, той отговори по крайно непрофесионален и неуважителен начин, повтаряйки 'no name, no name' и отказа да предостави информация. След това, очевидно като форма на отмъщение, всички мои вещи, дори чорапи, бельо и най-малките отделения на багажа ми, бяха претърсени прекомерно и унизително.

Това поведение не само е смущаващо, но и представлява злоупотреба с власт. Настоявам записите от камерите за наблюдение от 15 септември 2025 г. между 09:40 и 09:55 ч. да бъдат прегледани, тъй като те ще потвърдят изцяло достоверността на твърденията ми.

По-късно, когато се опитах да подам официална жалба на друга служителка на долното ниво, тя лъжливо твърдеше, че не говори английски, въпреки че само 10 минути по-рано говореше на английски с друг пътник. Тя отказа да ми предостави името на ръководител. Вместо това паспортът ми беше ненужно проверен отново и ми беше отказан достъп за втори път, което доведе до неоправдано забавяне.

Подобно поведение е абсолютно недопустимо за международно летище, което представя държавата България. Като полицейски началник в Анкара, Турция, отговорен за повече от 40 полицейски служители, намирам тези действия за позорни и уронващи професионалната репутация на вашето летище и държава.

С настоящото настоявам

1- За незабавно вътрешно разследване на този инцидент

2- За идентифициране на въпросната служителка, рентгенов контролен пункт, 15 септември 2025 г., със зелен държач на карта

3- За предприемане на дисциплинарни мерки според резултатите

4- За писмен и официален отговор на тази жалба

Призовавам Ви да третирате този въпрос с необходимата сериозност. Трябва да бъдат предприети подходящи мерки, за да се гарантира, че никой пътник повече няма да бъде подложен на толкова непрофесионално и унизително отношение.

По време на инцидента бях облечен със светлозелена риза върху бяла тениска с черен панталон и черни обувки. С тези данни лесно можете да ме идентифицирате от записите на камерите.

С уважение

Ender Huz

Полицейски началник, Анкара, Турция

View full review

Preferred solution: Apology

User's recommendation: There are untrained and non-communicative security guards

7 comments
Guest

A real complaint would be if you had your face burned off

Guest

Your fragility is showing

Dannis Lfb

Gwen name is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.

Guest

So you did not like the tone/manner of her voice about the water bottle. You told her you would drink it and dispose of it.

Did you start to do so or step out of that line? Because you AND the bottle were not both coming out on the other side.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-2748922

I drank the water and threw away the bottle, it only took 5 seconds. That is not the important point here. Please read my message again and understand the main issue I am trying to convey.

Dannis Lfb
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-2748926

They read the message. You just don't like ir. Grow up child.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-2748926

I understand the main issue. You leaving out that you drank the water in five seconds and disposed of the bottle clarifies GREATLY that you abided by the policy, did NOT engage in a pi/ssing contest and characterizes everything that followed as retaliation. I’m just a random person (one of the 3+ million monthly visitors here) and that was my first thought as I’m sure it will be for the party in charge of handling your issue.

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Dilan p Idk

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

Visit

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hello sir,

I have a 6 months seasonal Trc card from Bulgaria. Can I travel within the schengen area..?

What documents should I have with me when leaving for such a trip..? I hope for a kind and quick answer to these problems of mine.

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Michal M Wlq

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

Victim of a fraud Easy rent bulgaria

Updated by user Aug 12, 2024

They responded to my mail, explaining the situation which was already known. I clearly asked for monitoring pictures which has not been provided... Michal Matrejek

Updated by user Jul 18, 2024

No response from the authorities...

Original review Jul 13, 2024
Dear Sir or Madam,
I would like to report a fraud that happened to me yesterday. I am aware that you might not be the right person, however, as Easy Rent Bulgaria company is renting a space at your terminal, I thought you should be aware.
I rented a car at ER Bulgaria a week ago and returned it in the same condition yesterday.

The staff at the desk informed me that everything was fine and if I wanted my deposit returned, I should once again use my credit card. Despite having paid the deposit on the day of pick-up, they charged me again 1600bgn at the return.
Today I received a declaration of damage, which was not caused by me. Someone from this company probably did it after my return. I have pictures of the car in the same condition.

I would like to report this to the authorities or police as this is typical fraud. Meanwhile, I read about similar cases that happened to other people who were renting a car at Easy Rent Bulgaria. It appears that this is a fraud scheme they are using frequently...

If you could help, I would appreciate it. - Michal Matrejek
View full review
Loss:
$2000

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Please AVOID easy rent bulgaria!

Michael R Key

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

Fraud in your airport at the car rental company

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How come you have scammers in your airport hall? The car rental company easy rent Bulgaria seems to be a scammer.

He never seems to pay back his deposit.

The good reviews seem to have been bought. The bad ones are reality.

View full review

User's recommendation: be careful!

Slavyanka S

What is the problem with opening up the waiting room to wait there for the flight

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Sofia Airport - What is the problem with opening up the waiting room to wait there for...
Sofia Airport - What is the problem with opening up the waiting room to wait... - Image 2

B9 exit. The waiting room for the Lufthansa flight at 12:55 on Tuesday, 22nd is closed and people, waiting for the flight, have to STAY at the walking area.

Only few people with small kids are allowed inside to the waiting area.

I called to ask why. Have the answer the fire brigade is there and they hanged up.

View full review

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