The Eindhoven region has a strong international character. An increasing number of knowledge workers, labor migrants, and international students are finding their way to this flourishing area – renowned for its technology, expertise, and innovative design. Eindhoven Airport plays a key role in this development, as illustrated by the personal story of Alexandra (18) from Bulgaria.

“Eindhoven Airport makes it possible to travel quickly and easily between Bulgaria and Eindhoven. This allows me to see my loved ones more often.”

Alexandra Uzunova feels completely at home in Eindhoven and at the Eindhoven University of Technology, located in the city where she now lives. Yet, originally from Bulgaria, she also enjoys visiting her family and friends back home. She is one of many internationals in the Brainport region who rely on Eindhoven Airport to stay connected with loved ones in their country of origin.

Normally almost 30 hours by car

Alexandra, a newly enrolled student, has lived in Eindhoven for ten years and recently started her studies in Mechanical Engineering. She spends her free time with family and friends—both in the Netherlands and in Bulgaria. Together with her parents and sister, she regularly flies from Eindhoven Airport to the Bulgarian capital, Sofia. This makes her one of nearly 260,000 passengers who flew between Eindhoven Airport and Bulgaria in 2024, the vast majority of whom traveled between Eindhoven and Sofia.

Alexandra: “The airport is very close by, so I can easily and quickly travel from home to visit my cousin and my grandparents in Bulgaria. This means I can see them often, which I love, because it keeps us connected and allows me to stay in touch with Bulgarian culture.”

Driving to Bulgaria is not really an alternative, according to Alexandra. “It takes more than 28 hours by car. That’s extremely long, especially if you can’t stay for very long.”

Bulgarian technology students in Eindhoven

Alexandra is one of over 17,000 international students in Brabant (source: Brainport Monitor). A significant portion of them study at Eindhoven University of Technology. In fact, around 31 percent of all international technology students in the Netherlands study in Brabant. In both 2023 and 2024, the largest group of international technology students in Brabant came from Bulgaria. These students are valuable to the Brainport region, as they contribute to the potential labor force and enhance the region’s competitiveness.

For many of them, the airport is a vital link to their loved ones. Alexandra shares: “My cousin Kati is like a sister to me. Of course, we call each other often, but visiting in person is so much better.” She recently traveled to Bulgaria to celebrate Kati’s eighteenth birthday. Now that Kati is also eighteen, Alexandra expects her to visit Eindhoven more often. “I’ll show her around the city and take her to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.”

Fast and easy travel

Alexandra also enjoys visiting her grandparents in Bulgaria together with her parents and sister. “They can no longer fly due to health reasons, so it’s wonderful that we can travel to them via Eindhoven Airport.” She adds that her friends also frequently fly to visit family and friends.

In 2024, around 1,440 flights departed from or arrived at Eindhoven Airport between Eindhoven and Bulgaria. These flights are often fully booked, which doesn’t surprise Alexandra. “An airport like Eindhoven Airport makes it possible to travel quickly and easily between Bulgaria and Eindhoven. This allows me to see my loved ones more often. It keeps me connected to both the culture and to my family and friends.”

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