FLY
BIO 2 BLOCK 1 European Atlantic Axis hub European Atlantic Axis hub PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 3
Bilbao, best European city 2018, a world benchmark in urban transformation, bringing in 1,615,918 visitors and expectations of growth in events, tourism, business and investment.
Come fly with us. 4 FLY
BIO FLY5
BIO
Index
Block 1 Bilbao / Biscay / Basque Country. European Atlantic Axis hub P. 13 Tourist destination with a prestigious brand P. 19 European competitive region P. 35 Excellent external and internal connectivity P. 43
Block 2 Bilbao Airport. Bilbao Airport P. 53 Constant growth in passenger numbers P. 61 A great infrastructure P. 69 moving forward with the sector
Block 3 Connectivity and incentives. Connectivity strategy P. 75 Markets and new routes P. 79 Incentive policies P. 87 8
Driving air connectivity in the city of Bilbao and the province of Biscay.
MEMBERS: Basque Government, Biscay Provincial Council, Bilbao Town Hall, Aena-Bilbao Airport and Bilbao Air, along with the Chamber of Commerce. BILBAO AIRPORT ROUTE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE 9
Bilbao Airport Route Development Committee
This is the Biscay Provincial Council body driving air connectivity in this province and in the city of Bilbao. It acts as go-between for the airlines and various authorities in the Basque Country to assist with growth or implementation.
The common goal of the public institutions and companies making up this group is to address air connectivity challenges as a single body able to work together to modernise the transport network. Its tasks are as follows: • To draw up the specific strategy for Bilbao, Biscay and Basque Country air connections. • To conduct research and analyses in relation to air connections and their impact. • To table proposals to structure the sector around demand for and supply of Bilbao-Biscay air connections. • To spearhead joint tourism communications in Bilbao-Biscay in relation to air connections. • To produce courses of action that will drive relations with airlines and other players in the air sector. 10 BLOCK 1 PRESEN
TATION PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 11 PRESEN
Block 1 Bilbao / Biscay / Basque Country. European Atlantic Axis hub Tourist destination with a prestigious brand European competitive region Excellent external and internal connectivity TATION 12 BLOCK 1 European Atlantic Axis hub
Strategic central location on the European Atlantic Axis. European Atlantic Axis hub PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 13
European Atlantic Axis hub
Bilbao is the capital of Biscay province, its largest city, and the Basque Country’s economic and financial hub. Some 1,150,000 people live in the province of Biscay, most of them in Greater Bilbao, as the metropolitan area is known locally.
At 2,217 km2, it is the most Its strategic central location on densely populated area, the European Atlantic Axis to and also boasts the greatest the north of the Iberian peninsula portion of its economic puts Bilbao at the crossroads activity. Local per-capita between the EU’s main north- GDP stood at 33,896 euros in south transport route and the 2019, well above the figure emerging east-west corridor. for the State as a whole, Institutional commitment has similar to that of Europe’s helped the Basque Country fund fully industrialised regions, an ambitious plan to reinforce its and also above the EU-28 communication structures and average. boost its competitiveness along this axis. 14 BLOCK 1 European Atlantic Axis hub
Pentagon
Milan
BILBAO
Barcelona
Madrid
Lisbon
Air connectivity is an essential The Atlantic Corridor runs for The arrival of the so-called factor. Thanks to its connections, 2,000 kilometres, and accounts Basque “Y”, a high-speed rail Bilbao Airport helps Basque for almost 40% of the European transport network, will boost companies and companies Union’s Gross Domestic Product. goods and passenger transport elsewhere with interests in the This area has a population of 80 along the Atlantic Axis thanks to Basque Country to maintain million. It is a key factor in the the corridor known as Madrid- constant interaction between transportation of goods between Vitoria-Bordeaux (France). To customers and suppliers. For the peninsula and Europe. 50% make the Basque Country a key many passengers it is also the of all traffic moves along the link on the axis, work is also gateway to the Basque Country corridor. More than 60 ports continuing on construction of the and what the region can offer are dotted along the coastline, Port of Bilbao’s southern railway them: mountain scenery, coast handling a total volume of goods bypass, on implementation of the and beaches, gastronomy, of more than 650 million T/year, Júndiz and Pasaia-Lezo logistics cultural identity, its own and here Bilbao Port is playing an platforms, and on the logistics language, an excellent standard increasingly active role. In fact, its centre at Vitoria Airport. of living etc. traffic grew by 4% in 2018 with a volume of 35.6 million tonnes. European Atlantic Axis hub PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 15
2,217 km2 most densely populated area of Basque Country
1,152,651 people
Biscay Biscay live in the province of Biscay
Basque Country €33,896 2,188,017 Per-capital GDP in 2019. Well above the figure for the State as a whole, similar to that of Europe’s fully people industrialised regions, and also above the more than 52% of the population of Biscay EU-28 average. 16 BLOCK 1 European Atlantic Axis hub European Atlantic Axis hub PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 17
Crossroads between the EU’s main north-south transport route. 18 BLOCK 1 Tourist destination with a prestigious brand
Best European City 2018. Tourist destination with a PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 19 prestigious brand
Tourist destination with a prestigious brand
Bilbao is the gateway to the Bay of Biscay’s scenery and a wealth of Basque culture. A city with a turning point and projection reflected in the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which down through the years has succeeded in maintaining a culture and distinguishing features that make it unique and singular.
Bilbao, the brand of an international city The Bilbao brand has a huge Guggenheim Museum Bilbao capacity to draw in visitors. On is a world icon, one of the 20th the strength of the Guggenheim century’s major architectural Museum’s international image, creations, and continues to draw as Best European City 2019, the in thousands of visitors year after capital of Biscay has turned year. The museum closed 2019 culture into a major asset with a total of 1,170,669 visitors. arousing the interest of thousands of travellers. 20 BLOCK 1 Tourist destination with a prestigious brand
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
1,170,669 visitors in 2019
The Bilbao brand is also a Bilbao-Biscay is now a Its international positioning is worldwide example of urban benchmark for other urban areas also linked to transparency in regeneration. It has now undergoing transformation, publicadministration, as reflected in left behind a past linked to against a backdrop of increased reports by the international bodies a declining steel industry to tourism for leisure purposes and that oversee the democratic health become an international symbol prosperous retail and business of institutions. as a cosmopolitan designer city. activity. A change made possible by the commitment of local institutions to a number of major emblematic projects, including mobility and transport infrastructure. Tourist destination with a PRESENTACIÓN DE BILBAO / BIZKAIA / PAÍS VASCO 21 prestigious brand
A city with a turning point and projection reflected in the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. 22 BLOCK 1 Tourist destination with a prestigious brand
Euskadi 3,800,000 visitors in 2019. (increase of 3.2% compared to 2018) 7,978,593 overnight stays in 2019.
Visitors in 2019 (up by 3.8% against 2018) Tourist destination with a PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 23 prestigious brand
Biscay 1,615,918 visitors in 2019. (up by 3.9% against 2018) 3,194,427 overnight stays in 2019. (increase of 2.6% compared to 2018)
Record number of visitors Numbers of visitors for leisure and business purposes have risen steadily in recent years. 3,8 mill. 41% people visited Euskadi in 2019, Visitors, foreign market an increase of 3.2% compared to the previous year. Biscay province registered 1,615,918 visitors, up by 3.9%, and the number of foreign tourists also rose to 6%, with increases in target markets with high 59% spending potential. One out of Visitors, state market every two visitors to the Basque Country passes through Biscay. The foreign market increased significantly in the course of the year. A total of 7,978,593 overnight stays were recorded in the Basque Country last year. Overnight stays in Biscay account 1.98 for 46.5% of the total by tourists
Average length of stay Source: ETR Survey 2019 Eustat. In-house. by in Euskadi. 24 BLOCK 1 Tourist destination with a prestigious brand
Visitors Biscay Overnight stays Biscay year total state total foreign total state total foreign 2008 667,709 334,775 1,183,088 645,753 2009 685,529 301,708 1,187,803 594,193
2010 748,129 349,911 1,358,126 674,152 2011 801,579 377,744 1,450,624 737,707 2012 774,650 399,977 1,434,623 783,117 2013 733,413 411,641 1,335,785 779,990 2014 720,635 420,197 1,372,787 816,139 2015 784,840 464,371 1,483,307 887,216 2016 842,140 499,580 1,604,000 970,955 2017 851,184 563,276 1,593,099 1,100,795 2018 865,589 597,752 1,664,326 1,193,484 2019 888,992 629,169 1,193,484 1,242,323
Var. (%) +29.68% +108.54% +0.48% +109.08% Source: ETR Survey by Eustat. In-house. 2019
Main foreign
source markets 2019 (%) Bilbao’s ability to draw in visitors has increased exponentially Portugal Belgium over the last years. More than America 1,022,113 travellers visited the city in 2019, up by 7.34% against the Rest of Europe 1 figures for 2018. The same can be said of overnight stays, rising Italy 1,977,943, up by 6.45% against 1 the previous year. The variation 1 Rest of EU of entries, overnight stays and Rest of the world average lenght of stay against 2018 is positive. Visitors from state 1 market grew by 2.70%, adding a UK 1 total of 23,402. Turning to foreign 11 France visitors, entries from this market Germany increased up by 5.26% and overnight stays, up by 4.09%.
Source: ETR Survey by Eustat. In-house. 2019 Tourist destination with a PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 25 prestigious brand
Trend in registration at hotels 3,500,000
3,000,000
2,500,000
2,000,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
500,000
0 2011 2017 2012 2015 2013 2016 2019 2018 2014 2010 2009 +70% Source: ETR Survey by Eustat. In-house. 2019 26 BLOCK 1 Tourist destination with a prestigious brand
Spain’s most Best Average spending per stay by visitors to Biscay was 663.1 euros transparent city in e-Administration in 2019. Average spending by 2008, 2009, 2011, in Spain, according foreign visitors was substantially 2012, 2014 and to the Spanish higher, 211.5 euros more than 2017, according Internet Users’ tourists from state market. Due to the country’s proximity, most to Transparency Association (2010) foreigners visiting Biscay are still International French, and 94,300 tourists were registered in 2019. Following behind are Germany and the United Kingdom, with over 70,027 arrivals and 62,322, respectively. The substantial increase in numbers of visitors from Benelux countries continues, with 53,005. The United States, with over 52,939, Italy with 47,790, and the Nordic countries, with 29,221, €663.1 complete the ranking of foreign Average spending visitors. 100% of US visitors per stay. arrive in the Basque Country by air, and the airport is also used Average spending by foreign by almost 90% of German and visitors was substantially higher at 791.90 euros. British tourists.
Source: ETR Survey by Eustat. In-house. 2019 Tourist destination with a PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 27 prestigious brand
Source: In-house. 2019 One of the major indicators for Bilbao- Biscay as a tourist destination 94,300 is the extent to which most visitors recommend it. 70,027 62,322 Full marks as a 53,005 recommended 52,939 tourist destination 47,790 One of the major indicators for Bilbao- Biscay as a tourist destination is the extent to which 29,221 most visitors recommend it. Surveys by public tourism bodies put the general level of recommendation at 9.22 points. Breaking the figures down into origins, those arriving from UK
abroad recommend this tourist Italy USA
destination more than national France Benelux Germany Nordic C. visitors (8.98 points). 28 BLOCK 1 European Atlantic Axis hub European Atlantic Axis hub PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 29
Bilbao is the capital of Biscay province, its largest city, and the Basque Country’s economic and financial hub. 30 BLOCK 1 Tourist destination with a prestigious brand
1,406 Bilbao-Biscay has hosted outstanding 643 763 international organised by organised businesses by associations events including ‘The World’s 50 Best Restaurants’, the MTV Music Awards ceremony, and the Challenge Cup and the Rugby 729 378 299 Champions Cup. regional state international Next year, Bilbao will host the In relation to Culture,
Events in 2019 Events 78.02% Economics and Medicine UEFA EURO 2021. Source: Convention Bureau Tourist destination with a PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 31 prestigious brand
Congresses for those who choose it as 2019 was a year in which the and events with their venue. Bilbao-Biscay city of Bilbao and the territory an international has proven its extraordinary of Biscay crossed borders ability to stage major once again. ‘The World’s 50 projection international events. In 2014 it Best Restaurants’, the MTV Bilbao-Biscay has a long hosted the World Basketball Music Awards ceremony, history of organising Championship, a challenge and the Challenge Cup and and hosting international to which it proved more than the Rugby Champions Cup congresses and events thanks equal, and organisation of were the most outstanding to modern infrastructure, the event won international international events hosted professionalism in the sector, acclaim. The city is also the by the city. Next year, Bilbao a quality hotel service, an annual venue for one of will hold the UEFA EURO internationally renowned Spain’s major mustsee music 2021. San Mamés stadium will gastronomic “carte”, and a festivals, Bilbao BBK Live. host several matches of this packed cultural and leisure Furthermore, this mass event important tournament in june schedule. A destination is sponsored by multinationals and july. with the tag of excellence such as Heineken or Red to guarantee a unique Bull, adding in an unbeatable comprehensive experience projection. 32 BLOCK 1 European Atlantic Axis hub European Atlantic Axis hub PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 33
Bilbao Exhibition Centre is another venue for mega-events. 34 BLOCK 1 European competitive region
The Basque Country is one of Europe’s most competitive and attractive regions for investment. European competitive region PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 35
European competitive region
23.5% GDP Basque industry
Source: ETR Survey by Eustat. In-house. 2019
Basque industry accounts for 23.5% of GDP, and its main features are efficiency, quality, technical excellence and its commitment to internationalisation.
It offers an attractive business As part of economic environment, legal certainty, the development policy, industry coverage of its own financial has always received specific system and high levels of self- incentives due to its great governance. A joint effort by impact on wealth, employment, all public institutions and their technology development and the collaboration with the private promotion of other added- sector have made the Basque value sectors. Country one of Europe’s most competitive and attractive European regions for investment. 36 BLOCK 1 European competitive region
The Basque Country’s per- capita GDP outstrips the EU-28 average by 19%, with a productivity ratio of 130%.
It is a region brimming over Investment in with talent. It has renowned R+D R+ beyond the centres working side by side with the authorities to implement EU average. new production processes, enhance current processes and With only 4.7% of the deploy Industry 4.0. population of Spain, The Basque Country’s institutions exports (chiefly to have produced financial France and Germany) support mechanisms through account for almost programmes focusing on investment, innovation and the 9% of the total figure internationalisation of business. for the Spanish state.
Source: SPRI European competitive region PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 37
th Ranked 4 in the EU
in terms of per-employee productivity
th Ranked 8 in the EU in terms of per-capita income (GDP)
th Ranked 8 in the United Nations’ Human and Economic Index 2014. 38 BLOCK 1 European Atlantic Axis hub European Atlantic Axis hub PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 39
An attractive business environment, legal certainty, the coverage of its own financial system and high levels of self-governance. 40 BLOCK 1 European competitive region
€613,950,000 foreign investment 136 business projects 2014-2019
Source: SPRI European competitive region PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 41
Source: In-house.
Head office with a strong international The Basque Government of leading presence, generating a brought in over 476 million multinationals significant flow of business euros of foreign investment travellers. between 2014 and 2019 for Companies based in the 136 business projects, most of Euskadi’s location and the Basque Country lead the which came from Germany, sound reputation of its the United States and the way in fiercely competitive honest, serious business sectors such as energy, fabric are highly valued United Kingdom. aeronautical construction guarantees that have helped and rail infrastructures, create a recognised and bioscience, automotive, tractive country brand - machine tools and shipping, Basque Country. among others. Companies 42 BLOCK 1 Excellent external and internal connectivity
Bilbao is a global interconnected city. Excellent external and PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 43 internal connectivity
Excellent external and internal connectivity
12 km cruise terminal in Getxo 16.6 km Bilbao goods harbour
12 km airport BILBAO
Bilbao is a global interconnected city thanks to its airport, northern Spain’s largest, a modern port, an extensive modern road network, and a local rail service to most Basque towns.
The public transport system has Various types of public a metro, trains, trams and buses. transport have been The dimensions of the territory perfectly structured to act as and Bilbao’s close proximity complements to each other, to major infrastructures make providing an efficient alternative connections and transfers to the use of private cars. fast and simple. 44 BLOCK 1 Excellent external and internal connectivity
Public transport comfortable and secure method The Basque Country’s network of payment which puts Biscay at commitment to sustainability the forefront of integration of its and the reduction of greenhouse The Biscay Transport Consortium public transport systems. gases is demonstrated in its focus is composed of all operators in on electrifying public transport the territory’s public transport The Bilbao Metro forms part of systems. Bilbobus, the municipal network, thereby providing the Transport Consortium. It is bus service in Bilbao, now comprehensive internal and one of Europe’s most modern operates four 100% electric buses, external connections. systems, with a growing network and new units will shortly be added. They are manufactured Interconnection between all that carried over 91 million by Basque company Irizar, using Biscay Transport Consortium passengers in 2019, 1.84% more local technology. operators allows a single card than the previous year. 96% of to be used for all systems in Metro Bilbao users are satisfied the network. The Barik card with the service, and the average proved extremely popular with score by passengers is 8.35. the general public - it is a fast, Excellent external and PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 45 internal connectivity
91,000,000 Metro Bilbao passengers in 2019 1.84% more than the previous year
Source: Metro Bilbao
96% of Metro Bilbao users are satisfied with the service, and the average score by passengers is 8.35. 46 BLOCK 1 European Atlantic Axis hub European Atlantic Axis hub PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 47
Bilbao Port is the largest harbour on the entire Cantabrian coast. 48 BLOCK 1 Excellent external and internal connectivity
34% Exports
66% Imports Excellent external and PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 49 internal connectivity
35,600,000 tonnes in 2019
Bilbao Port 4% increase in goods traffic
Source: Bilbao Port
Bilbao Port markets and new traffic routes to Port facilities in Getxo in 2019, emerging destinations. 66% of including the new passenger Bilbao Port is the largest harbour its business is accounted for by terminal, boosting the harbour’s on the entire Cantabrian coast. imports, and 34% by exports, and competitiveness to offer added- Its ability to attract traffic is the latter are still rising. value services for operators and increasing by the year, and not passenger comfort. 200,631 only in terms of its main activity Bilbao Port is still hard at work passengers used Bilbao Port in as a means of transport. The promoting the facility on the 2019. port and local institutions have international front to bring in new An increase in cruiser activity worked to promote Bilbao as a flows of traffic, and in Getxo Port also entails a stopover port in the competitive arranged over 100 direct publicity major growth possibility for market of cruise ships and sea events in 2017. passenger traffic. Bilbao Airport because both The plan to maintain and enhance infrastructures are in close Bilbao Port finished 2019 with Bilbao Port’s competitive edge is proximity - only 20 minutes by a 4% increase in goods traffic, considering a gradual reduction public transport or by car. pushing up volumes by 1.4 in harbour fees. million tonnes. This is a record for the last 12 years, and Another of the Port Authority’s faithfully reflects the positive priorities is to drive up passenger performance of the port thanks traffic. 132 ferries and 59 to the continuation of traditional cruise ships used the Bilbao 50 BLOCK 2 THE AIR
PORT BILBAO AIRPORT 51 THE AIR
Block 2 Bilbao Airport. Bilbao Airport Constant growth in passenger numbers A great infrastructure moving forward with the sector PORT 52 BLOCK 2 Bilbao Airport
The airport offers air connections to a catchment area of over three million people. Bilbao Airport BILBAO AIRPORT 53
Bilbao Airport
Catchment area
Santander Donostia-San Sebastián Bilbao CANTABRIA BIZKAIA GIPUZKOA
Vitoria-Gasteiz Pamplona-Iruña ALAVA NAVARRA
Logroño
This is northern Spain’s main airport, and the Basque Country’s principal external connectivity hub.
This is northern Spain’s main to the Basque Country alone, airport and the Basque Country’s but also extends to neigbouring principal external connectivity communities to the south, east hub. By year-end` 2019 it had and west, such as Cantabria, handled a total of 5,905,804 Burgos, La Rioja and Navarra, passengers, up by 8% and with a population of over three setting an all-time record. Bilbao million. The airport is located only Airport continues to expand 12 kilometres from Bilbao, and in terms of both domestic and has extensive parking facilities international flights, with a total for those travelling to it by car, in volumen of 51.591 take-off and addition to regular bus services landing operations, up by 3.3% and taxis. tan in 2018. It has a major business traffic component. Bilbao Airport’s area of influence is not cofined 54 BLOCK 2 Bilbao Airport
Bilbao Airport
5,905,804 passengers in 2019 Up by 8% over the previous year
Largest airport in 51,591 Northern Spain operations Ranked 14th in in 2019 terms of passenger Up by 3.3% numbers over the previous year Ranked 12th, disregarding island airports 34% An airport with a major business business traffic component Source: Aena. Provisional non audited data 2019 (round trip) (34%) Bilbao Airport BILBAO AIRPORT 55
46.4% International
53.6%
Domestic Traffic distribution 56 BLOCK 2 Bilbao Airport
Airline
Traditional Low cost
Source: Aena. Provisional non audited data 2019 (round trip) Bilbao Airport BILBAO AIRPORT 57
a a ar t ar
57% 12% 10% 5% 4%
UK Zurich Dublin Bristol Munich
Spain Santiago Brussels Istambul
France Frankfurt Barcelona Dusseldorf
Germany Manchester de Compostela
Netherlands Source: Aena. Provisional non audited data 2019 (round trip) non audited data 2019 (round Source: Aena. Provisional Fuerteventura Main Destinations operated countries only by one airline
The Basque airport’s main strengths are a balanced mix of networked airlines compared to point-to-point companies, and the balance between traditional companies and low-cost operators. Furthermore, links to major international transport hubs make for an exponential increase in the number of routes available to and from Bilbao airport. Some of its other strengths are: Charter • A range of domestic and European destinations (50 in 2019) • Links to major hubs: Madrid, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Brussels, Zurich Scheduled and Istanbul Flight • Substantial increase in international traffic (43%), up by 100% over the last 15 years Source: Aena. Provisional non audited data 2019 (round trip) 58 BLOCK 2 Bilbao Airport Bilbao Airport BILBAO AIRPORT 59
Bilbao airport finished last year with 5,905,782 passengers. 60 BLOCK 2 Constant growth in passenger numbers
Rising use has been constant year by year. Constant growth in passenger numbers BILBAO AIRPORT 61
Constant growth in passenger numbers
a ar 7,6% 10% 8%
7% 7%
6% 2019 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
CAGR:7.0% Source: Aena. Provisional non audited data 2019 (round trip) non audited data 2019 (round Source: Aena. Provisional Annual traffic evolution traffic evolution Annual
Bilbao airport finished last year with 5,469,453 passengers, an increase of 8% on the previous year. Rising use has been constant, with percentage increases of 6% in 2014, 7% in 2015 and 2016, 8% in 2017, 10% in 2018 and 8% last year. 62 BLOCK 2 Constant growth in passenger numbers
New routes in 2020 Rotterdam, Lyon, Almeria, Cagliari, Murcia, Atenas Highlights 2020
22 50 24 operating destinations countries airlines
Source: Aena. INE. +5000 pax/year
In 2019, 21 airlines operate flights from Bilbao airport to 53 destinations in 19 countries 44% (+5.000 pax). Its attractiveness Biscay Region to companies is borne out by an upturn in business with new routes [Southend, Nantes, Naples, Port, Florence and A Coruña] and increased flight frequencies. 25% of passengers using Bilbao % 31% airport reside outside the Spanish 49 State, and the most common Rest of Spain Men travelers are woven and men between the ages of 30 and 49. 45% the facilities for holiday travel, and 34% for professional and business reasons. 75% of the total number of passengers 51% are national. Female/ male Women 25% proportions are quite similar,
Gender Residence Foreign Female 51% and men 49%. BilbaoConstant Airport growth in passenger numbers BILBAO AIRPORT 63
Nationality
75% 25% Spain Foreign 64 BLOCK 2 Constant growth in passengerBilbao numbers Airport
Others USA France Spain
Germany UK
Travelers nationality VFR other holidays business Reason for travelling Reason Constant growth in passenger numbers BILBAO AIRPORT 65
45% use the Age facilities for holiday travel, and 34% for professional and business reasons.
Bilbao airport is also a major passenger departure point, 44%
are residents in Basque Country and 31% are from other parts of Spain. It is common practice for passengers living in neighbouring < 15 communities to use Bilbao airport > 64 15-29 50-64 to fly to their destinations. 30-49 66 BLOCK 2 Bilbao Airport Bilbao Airport BILBAO AIRPORT 67
It is common practice for passengers living in neighbouring communities to use Bilbao airport to fly to their destinations. 68 BLOCK 2 A great infrastructure moving forward with the sector
A thriving infrastructure close to the territory it serves. A great infrastructure BILBAO AIRPORT 69 moving forward with the sector
A great infrastructure moving forward with the sector
Since the new terminal opened in the year 2000, Bilbao airport has experienced the sturdiest and fastest period of growth in commercial aviation.
New destinations, new airlines, system has been implemented new security and environmental in accordance with the ISO 9001 regulations, which a thriving and ISO 14001 standards. The infrastructure close to the airport also holds certification territory it serves, Bilbao Airport, to European regulations, has managed to make part of its thereby ensuring that facilities, daily processes. procedures and employees are well prepared for a demanding In recent years an integrated future in a fiercely competitive quality management and sector. environmental certification 70 BLOCK 2 A greatBilbao infrastructure Airport moving forward with the sector ABilbao great Airport infrastructure BILBAO AIRPORT 71 moving forward with the sector
Infrastructures
terminal security building 2 38 1 334 m2 personnel 14 runways check-in VIP lounge boarding CAT I/II counters gates
S: 04:45-21:30 21 7 3,761 8 1,544 m2 7 761 m2 PS1 HR 10 MIN PPR parking baggage parking offer restaurants shops and F: 05:45-22:30 places reclaim and cafeterias duty free PS1 HR 10 MIN PPR 6 boarding airbridges
Annual surveys on the quality of major hub are met within the Thinking in the near future, the services offered to passengers context of European aviation, project of a new building for the and airlines give us a reliable where it is acknowledged as an airport workers, is ready to start information base to continue to airport that is key to continental its development. With this new improve the service provided connectivity. infrastructure, Bilbao Airport will for the general public and have more room for passengers, The airport is always improving professional people. above all in the boarding gates facilities and adapting to area. AENA is the airport’s manager. the changing context of the It is the world’s largest airport comercial aviation. In 2019, the operator by passenger numbers, new ABC Border System will ease giving it the business experience the passport controls with its new and investor muscle to ensure the authomatic technology available needs of the Basque Country’s for European Union Citizens. 72 BLOCK 3 CONNEC
TIVITY CONNECTIVITY AND INCENTIVES 73 CONNEC
Block 3 Connectivity and incentives. Connectivity strategy Markets and new routes Incentive policies TIVITY 74 BLOCK 3 Connectivity strategy
The connectivity strategy positions Euskadi as the main reference of this activity, as the gateway to the Bay of Biscay. Connectivity strategy CONNECTIVITY AND INCENTIVES 75
Connectivity strategy
Air connectivity is essential to the city of Bilbao and the territory of Biscay to make them competitive as a tourist destination and promote economic development.
In this regard the “Bilbao Biscay General objectives: Action Connectivity Group” is • To boost the number implementing a strategy with of visitors to the Basque perfect coordination of all Country to drive tourism parties involved to facilitate the and the economy. implementation or growth of • To facilitate the globalisation of airlines as a single interlocutor. Basque businesses to connect The connectivity strategy them to key cities for the positions Euskadi as the main purposes of innovation and reference of this activity, as the global economic development. gateway to the Bay of Biscay, • To offer better connectivity so providing access to the Basque that passenger experiences universe, looking ahead to bring about a better standard consolidation of the Basque of living Country as a destination and the and greater demand for generation of new traffic inflows air transit services. and outflows. 76 BLOCK 3 Connectivity strategy Connectivity strategy CONNECTIVITY AND INCENTIVES 77
The “Bilbao Biscay Action Connectivity Group” is implementing a strategy to facilitate the implementation or growth of airlines. 78 BLOCK 3 Markets and new routes
Bilbao Airport offers 69 regular flights to 54 destinations in 21 countries. *(over 5,000 pax) Markets and new routes CONNECTIVITY AND INCENTIVES 79
Markets and new routes
This is northern Spain’s main airport, and the Basque Country’s principal external conectivity hub.
It offers 69 regular flights, over Consolidating and 5,000 pax, to 53 destinations improving flight in 21 countries. schedules and The forecasts for summer frequencies with the 2019 are: 53 destinations, 18 main European hubs domestic destinations and 35 international destinations, in This means working to 19 countries operated by 21 consolidate connectivity with airlines (over 5,000 pax). Europe’s main air hubs, improving schedules and frequencies Bilbao Airport is undertaking new (Madrid, London, Amsterdam, challenges posed by constant Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, changes in markets, and seeking Barcelona, Brussels, Zurich, Lisbon new connections to make it even and Istanbul). more competitive and efficient. 80 BLOCK 3 Markets and new routes Direct destinations from Bilbao
Oslo Stockholm
Edinburgh
Manchester Amsterdam Dublin Berlin Southend Rotterdam always destinations Bristol London Dusseldorf new destinations in 2018 Brussels Frankfurt Prague new destinations in 2019 Paris Munich Vienna Nantes Stuttgart Zurich Geneva Lyon Milan Venecia Bucarest
A Coruña BILBAO Florence Santiago Vigo Rome Barcelona Istanbul Porto Madrid Menorca Naples Valencia Cagliari Mallorca Lisbon Alicante Ibiza Athens Sevilla Murcia Palermo Jérez Granada Málaga Malta
Lanzarote La Palma Tenerife Fuerteventura
Gran Canaria Markets and new routes CONNECTIVITY AND INCENTIVES 81
Oslo Stockholm
Edinburgh
Manchester Amsterdam Dublin Berlin Southend Rotterdam always destinations Bristol London Dusseldorf new destinations in 2018 Brussels Frankfurt Prague new destinations in 2019 Paris Munich Vienna Nantes Stuttgart Zurich Geneva Lyon Milan Venecia Bucarest
A Coruña BILBAO Florence Santiago Vigo Rome Barcelona Istanbul Porto Madrid Menorca Naples Valencia Cagliari Mallorca Lisbon Alicante Ibiza Athens Sevilla Murcia Palermo Jérez Granada Málaga Malta
Lanzarote La Palma Tenerife Fuerteventura
Gran Canaria 82 BLOCK 3 Markets and new routes Generating new connections and enhancing the existing
Reykjavik
Helsinki
Oslo Stockholm
Gothenburg Moscow
Billund Glasgow Edinburgh Copenhagen New routes Belfast Bremen Hamburg Routes to be boosted Liverpool Warsaw Dublin Hannover Birmingham Amsterdam Cork London Eindhoven Cologne Cracow Brussels Frankfurt Paris Strasbourg Munich Basel Zurich Budapest
Lyon Milan Turin Bologna BILBAO Genoa Marseilles Sofia New York Istanbul Barcelona
Madrid Lisbon Athens Almería
Casablanca Tel Aviv Markets and new routes CONNECTIVITY AND INCENTIVES 83
Reykjavik
Helsinki
Oslo Stockholm
Gothenburg Moscow
Billund Glasgow Edinburgh Copenhagen New routes Belfast Bremen Hamburg Routes to be boosted Liverpool Warsaw Dublin Hannover Birmingham Amsterdam Cork London Eindhoven Cologne Cracow Brussels Frankfurt Paris Strasbourg Munich Basel Zurich Budapest
Lyon Milan Turin Bologna BILBAO Genoa Marseilles Sofia New York Istanbul Barcelona
Madrid Lisbon Athens Almería
Casablanca Tel Aviv 84 BLOCK 3 Markets and new routes
New priority routes: Generating new - Greece (Athens) - Ireland (Cork) • Lyon point-to-point connections and - Russia (Moscow) • Belfast enhancing the - Hungary (Budapest) existing connections - Bulgaria (Sofia) • Bologna - Israel (Tel Aviv) Public demand and the business - Morocco (Casablanca) • Almería fabric are marking out the path, • Copenhagen and are calling for new point- Existing connections must also to-point connectivity with other be reinforced with Lisbon, Dublin, and Helsinki major cities: Zurich, Edinburgh, Oslo and Stockholm. • Warsaw - France (Strasbourg, Lyon, Marseilles) • Tel Aviv Commencement of a - The United Kingdom (Liverpool, long-haul connection Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham) with North America - Italy (Genoa, Bologna, Turin) With respect to the American - Portugal (Porto) continent, one essential milestone - Spain (Almería) is to set up the first direct - The Nordic Countries connection with the United States (Copenhagen and Helsinki, (New York). At some point in the Billund, Gothenburg, Reykjavik) future consideration could be - Germany (Hannover, given to setting up connections Bremen, Cologne) to countries in the Americas with - The Netherlands (Eindhoven) traditional links to Euskadi such as - Switzerland (Basel) Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. - Poland (Warsaw, Cracow) Markets and new routes CONNECTIVITY AND INCENTIVES 85
MEXICO
At some point in the future consideration could be given to setting up connections BRAZIL to countries in the Americas with traditional links to Euskadi.
CHILE
ARGENTINA 86 BLOCK 3 Connectivity strategy Connectivity strategy CONNECTIVITY AND INCENTIVES 87
Public demand and the business fabric are marking out the path, and are calling for new connectivity. 88 BLOCK 3 Incentive policies
AENA has incentive programmes seeking to boost air traffic demand. Incentive policies CONNECTIVITY AND INCENTIVES 89
Incentive policies
AENA is the public company managing airport facilities. It has incentive programmes seeking to boost air traffic demand, the competitiveness and connectivity of airports in its network, and homing in on other European and international destinations.
AENA At the present time it operates routes currently not covered, and incentives for routes to new a 25% discount for the second destinations. Specifically, a season, provided passenger 75% discount is available on numbers remain steady or passenger charges for new increase. 90 BLOCK 3 Incentive policies
Commercial Marketing support: AENA also offers backup for incentives for new marketing by airlines to present • Maiden flight their new routes to the general routes currently ceremonies public, or to enhance their not covered present routes, in the role of • Discounts when a a staunch airline ally during Identification new base is opened promotion campaigns. Water of needs for the arch ceremonies for aircraft • Advertising on the new route, tape-cutting following seasons inside and outside and gifts for passengers on the airport the maiden flight. When a new Contacts with base is opened, the incentives tour operators • Promotional include discounts on rental of discounts for check-in desks, rental of offices, passengers premises and commercial desks Cooperation with and branding in the waiting local and regional • Monitoring of slots area. Advertising facilities are authorities also available at the airport, with posters and digital screens, website banners, press conferences and official press releases to launch the new routes. Incentive policies CONNECTIVITY AND INCENTIVES 91
AENA, a staunch airline ally during promotion campaigns. 92 BLOCK 3 Incentive policies
Co-marketing Trade missions Airlines and other campaigns connectivity players Assistance can also publicise B2B events with local-level their businesses management Joint communication Arrangement of campaigns Technical assistance encounters with in feasibility local press Incentive trips management
Promotional events in Bilbao- Biscay Incentive policies CONNECTIVITY AND INCENTIVES 93
Basque institutions are firmly behind the initiative to set up new routes.
Institutional backup • B2B events at destinations to • Assistance with local-level generate business on the new management with Basque In addition to incentives by routes. companies and institutions. the operator of Bilbao Airport, Basque institutions are firmly • Joint communication • Technical assistance in behind the initiative to set campaigns. feasibility management and rollout of specific connectivity up new routes and enhance • Incentive trips - famtrips and projects. existing routes. Fully aware presstrips - to showcase the of developments in air potential of the new routes • Airlines and other connectivity competitiveness, Bilbao Town for influencers, agencies players can also publicise their Hall, the Biscay Provincial Council, and specialised and general businesses on institutions’ the Basque Government and communication media. websites, social networks and the Chamber of Commerce, newsletters. through its airport promotions • Promotional events in Bilbao- company Bilbao Air, have a solid Biscay to launch the company’s • Arrangement of encounters commitment to joint strategic own campaigns or tourism with local press and and marketing operations. campaigns for the cities linked. organisation of press conferences. Working closely alongside the • Trade missions to boost airlines, the institutions plan to business and institutional arrange the following: relations. • Co-marketing campaigns to publicise the new routes. 94 BLOCK 3 Connectivity strategy European Atlantic Axis hub PRESENTATION OF BILBAO / BISCAY / BASQUE COUNTRY 95
Come fly with us. BASQUE GOVERNMENT