Sofia Airport (LBSF)
Large airport · Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria
Airport data
| Name | Sofia Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | LBSF |
| IATA | SOF |
| Elevation | 1,742 ft (531 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 42°41'47" E 23°25'4" 42.69636, 23.41767 |
| Location | Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/27 | 11,811 ft (3600 m) | 147 ft | ASP | Yes |
Sofia Airport at a glance
Sofia Airport is a large airport in Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria, known to airline systems as SOF. The field elevation of 1,742 ft (531 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at LBSF are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 09/27, offers 11,811 ft (3600 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 09 points roughly 90° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for LBSF shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Sofia Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Graf Ignatievo Air Base | LBPG | 115 km (62 NM) |
| Dolna Mitropoliya Air Base | LBPL | 122 km (66 NM) |
| Plovdiv International Airport | LBPD | 137 km (74 NM) |
| Niš Constantine the Great Airport | LYNI | 146 km (79 NM) |
| Skopje International Airport | LWSK | 169 km (91 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Sofia Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,742 ft field elevation of Sofia Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 9 airports and airfields we list for Bulgaria — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Sofia Airport
What is the ICAO code of Sofia Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Sofia Airport is LBSF, and its IATA code is SOF. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Sofia Airport above sea level?
Sofia Airport sits at an elevation of 1,742 feet (531 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Sofia Airport located?
The airport lies at 42.6964, 23.4177 — in Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Graf Ignatievo Air Base, about 115 km away.
Does LBSF publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for LBSF appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Sofia Airport?
Sofia Airport has one runway. The longest, 09/27, measures 11,811 ft (3600 m) with a ASP surface.