As part of the Holy Week return operation, Bilbao Airport in Loiu saw one of its most intense operational days on Monday, recording 175 flights. This figure capped off a frantic week at La Paloma, where the flow of travelers remained constant.
The total balance for Holy Week indicates that 1,674 air operations were managed between March 27 and April 6. This volume of traffic tested the airport's capacity, with high-demand days such as Holy Thursday with 162 flights and Good Friday with 163.
Beyond the cold statistics, Bilbao Airport was the scene of numerous personal stories. Jon Fernández and Mari Carmen, along with their three children, Alkain, Danel, and Ekaitz, landed after a seven-day trip exploring Vienna and Munich. The family highlighted the “impeccable cleanliness” of the Austrian capital and their visit to the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, in addition to the obligatory football stop at the Allianz Arena.
In another corner, Aroa Rodríguez and Ainhoa Huizi returned from a reunion trip in the Netherlands, where they spent time with a friend living there. After four days in The Hague, the bittersweet farewell was mixed with the satisfaction of keeping a bond alive despite the distance. Meanwhile, Susana Sobrado, her husband Sergio Manzanares, their son Arkaitz, and her brother-in-law Álvaro, represented a “dream come true” after arriving from New York, despite their evident exhaustion.
“"The return flight lasts the same number of hours as the outbound one, but it's certainly not experienced with the same emotion."
While most travelers sought the exit, others, like Vanessa and her children Axel and Adiya Sánchez, headed towards the check-in counters to begin their adventure to Germany, specifically Stuttgart, to reunite with the family's father who works there. Thus, amidst suitcases filled with memories and others brimming with anticipation, Loiu concluded a Holy Week that solidified Bilbao Airport's position as a premier international hub.
However, this Holy Week was not without uncertainty. The strike called by Groundforce employees kept travelers on edge throughout the week. Nevertheless, the impact was limited; beyond punctual delays on strike days, operations largely remained afloat, allowing the vast majority of holiday plans to proceed as scheduled.
