THE MAYOR MEETS WITH AIRLINE REPRESENTATIVES TO BOOST BILBAO’S CONNECTIVITY AS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENGINE
- At the meeting, led by Juan Mari Aburto, representatives of the main airlines operating at Bilbao airport were present: United Airlines, Vueling, Volotea, SAS, Turkish Airlines, Air France-KLM, and Norwegian. Also in attendance were representatives from AENA and the Bilbao Chamber of Commerce.
- The working meeting demonstrated the strong commitment of the Bilbao City Council to position, promote, and lead air connectivity as an economic and tourism engine.
The Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, met at the City Hall with representatives of the main airlines operating in Bilbao, a working meeting that reflected the strong commitment to air connectivity in the city, essential for economic, social, and cultural development.
In this initial working meeting, Juan Mari Aburto wanted to make clear the commitment of the City Council to air connectivity as an economic and tourism engine, focusing on Bilbao as a strategic destination for growth. Alongside the Mayor, Kontxi Claver, Councilor for Economic Development, Commerce, Tourism, and Employment of the City of Bilbao, was also present.
During the meeting, reflections, challenges, and collaboration proposals were shared with the main stakeholders involved in the city’s air connectivity: Bilbao Airport/AENA; United Airlines; Vueling; Volotea; SAS; Turkish Airlines; Air France-KLM; Norwegian; and the President and Director of the Bilbao Chamber of Commerce (Bilbao Air).
The importance of air connectivity in the local and regional economy, the internationalization of city businesses, attracting foreign investment, talent, and quality tourism, exportation, sustainability… were some of the topics discussed, in addition to analyzing the current air connectivity landscape of Bilbao with existing routes and considering possible expansion opportunities. The new direct routes obtained in 2025 (Basel, Berlin, Budapest, Cork, Stockholm, Palermo, and the achievement of the first direct transoceanic flight to New York, operated by United Airlines) are a clear example of joint work, as well as Bilbao’s solid commitment in this sector.
The strategic location of Bilbao Airport, a connection point with key markets in Europe and the world, is reflected in the latest data: 42.1% of passengers at Bilbao Airport in 2024 were international passengers, a 12.3% increase from 2023. The total number of domestic passengers in 2024 also grew by 3.4% compared to the data obtained in 2023.
During the meeting, the joint work carried out by the Route Committee in this regard was also discussed, a body made up of Aena, the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, the City of Bilbao, the Chamber of Commerce (Bilbao Air), and Basquetour.
The meeting was described by all attendees as very «positive and enriching,» so the Mayor has encouraged them to continue with new working groups. As Juan Mari Aburto explained to them, «flying brings people together, and also businesses. And Bilbao wants to be active in this sector.»
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