Squadron 28, or Bulgaria's government planes which fly the President and Prime Minister and other Government officials, are to be reassigned under the direct authority of the Council of Ministers, the private Bulgarian television channel bTV reported on July 29 2010.

Until now, Squadron 28 was under the jurisdiction of the Transport Ministry.

The decision to shift the unit under direct Cabinet control was taken by MPs on July 29. While debates continued about where to place the unit for better efficiency, the opposition in the face of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) suggested that the squadron be put under the command of the Defence Ministry.

The change was made with the aim of "improved operational effectiveness and better rentability" the bTV said, explaining that now the government will be able to collect fares for the service in a more efficient way, from various Government institutions which used and will use Squadron 28 in the past and future.

Moreover, MPs will allow the lease of additional planes from licensed companies when there are specific flight requirements while Squadron 28 is being engaged by ministries, agencies and other State administration structures simultaneously. Those additional flights, according to the report, would be paid for by the respective institution.

The argument against the reassignment of the unit was lodged by former transport minister, from the BSP, Petar Mutafchiev, who said that the change would reduce the security control and safety of the unit and undermine discipline.