Taxiway incursion at Sofia Airport(LBSF/SOF)

[boeing 763]

On the 16th of October the AFR1587 almost depart from taxiway "H",instead of runway 09 at Sofia(LBSF).

[mik_ny]

 
Nice catch on the audio feed, and great job by the Tower! Thanks.

LBSF chart, morning departure, A319



Aborted takeoff on taxiway hotel: before civil twilight(dawn). Weather observation 0330utc: VIS 1.2nm, FG
STN     TIME ALTM   TMP DEW RH  DIR SPD VIS  CLOUDS          Weather    
     DD/HHMM hPa    C   C   %   deg m/s km                              
==== ======= ====== === === === === === ==== =======
LBSF 16/0430 1017.0   9   9 100       1  1.1  SCT003         Fog
LBSF 16/0400 1017.0   8   8 100       1  7.0  FEW003
LBSF 16/0330 1017.0   8   8 100   0   0  2.2  SCT003         Fog
LBSF 16/0300 1017.0   8   8 100       1  8.0

Modified version attached; at 01:50 "Air France 1587, Sofia Tower. Do you understand me? This is taxiway hotel."
 

[tarakanbg]

This kind of confusion has happened before at Sofia too, due to the fact that the current twy H was formerly the main rwy (09-27). A new longer runway was built slightly to the north of it during the reconstruction of the airport just a few years ago, and even though the old rwy is now only used as twy H and marked accordingly, it still has the width, surface, wear and tear, associated with a runway. This being said, it's the first time I've heard a plane actually starting a takeoff roll on H.

[boeing 763]

In fact, in 2006 has started the building of a new runway, as you said on the north side from the old one.

It's my first time I have heard/understood a plane departing from H, too.