Why Bilbao Airport is known as La Paloma, the bird of the Basque Country

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, the main terminal of Bilbao Airport is celebrated for its striking, symmetrical wings. Known locally as La Paloma, or The Dove, this architectural landmark serves as the primary gateway to northern Spain, balancing high-concept design with the practical challenges of a busy international transport hub.

Opened in 2000, the terminal at Bilbao Airport is defined by its sharp central tip and two symmetrical wings. This distinctive aesthetic earned the building its nickname, La Paloma. Beyond its visual impact, the facility was originally engineered to accommodate approximately 4.5 million passengers annually. By 2007, the airport nearly reached this capacity, prompting discussions about significant expansions to double its throughput to 8 million passengers. However, these plans, estimated to cost 114 million euros, were stalled in 2010 due to economic constraints and shifting passenger demand.

The airport's history is marked by both architectural ambition and operational evolution. In its early years, the terminal faced criticism from users regarding the lack of a protected arrivals area, which left passengers exposed to the elements immediately after clearing customs. This issue was eventually addressed through the construction of a glass-walled shelter. The facility has also navigated significant fluctuations in traffic; while the Great Recession caused a 24 percent drop in passenger numbers by early 2009, the airport saw a steady recovery in subsequent years, reaching 5.4 million passengers by 2018 and 6,336,441 by 2023.

Located 9 kilometers north of Bilbao in the municipality of Loiu, the airport serves as a critical node for the Basque Country. Connectivity is currently provided primarily through an extensive bus network, including lines like the A3247, which links the city center to the terminal in 15 minutes. While there are ongoing discussions regarding the future extension of the Bilbao Metro’s Line 3 to the airport, no official timeline has been established. The site also carries a somber history, including the 1985 crash of an Iberia flight into Mount Oiz and a 2001 landing incident involving wind shear, which serves as a reminder of the complex environmental conditions surrounding the region's aviation infrastructure.

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