Bilbao Airport (BIO/LEBB) is the biggest and most important passenger airport in the north of Spain, with more than 6 million passenger in 2023. It is located 12km northeast of Bilbao and was opened in 1948. In 2000 the new terminal and runway were inaugurated.

The old terminal is no longer in use and its apron is a parking lot for business jets and cargo flights. The new iconic terminal, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is used for all domestic and international flights. Big airlines such as Lufthansa, KLM, TAP, Air France or Iberia connect Bilbao with their bigger hubs everyday. However, Vueling is the principal airline at Bilbao Airport: it has a powerful base with 6 planes based (7 in summer season) and more than 30 destinations (+40 in summer season). Bilbao is an important base for Volotea as well, with 2 planes serving up to 26 cities.

As a curiosity, the airport is also known as “La Paloma” (The pigeon) because of the famous and similar design of the terminal to this bird. The ATC Tower is called “El halcón” (The hawk), and its architecture is impressive as well.

Written by Asier de Prado (@Spotting_BIO on Instagram). Last Update: December 2023

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
10/28	1910m
12/30	2600m
Terminals
T1	All operations in one facility.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed at all.
Car/Public Transport	The public transport service is fabulous. It is available every day and it is really useful. You can arrive at all the spots by Bizkaibus or train from the inner city, which is a big advantage if you do not have a car. If you go by car you may experience parking issues.
Drinks/Food	You can find restaurants all along Txorierri Bidea. In addition, the spots are close to villages such as Sondika or Derio, where you can find a lot of places to eat. A couple of spots are near gas stations, where you can also buy things. (If you buy you can use the toilets as well)
Hotels	There are some hotels in Derio, 10 minutes away from the airport
Season	The temperature is moderate the whole year. Winter isn’t so cold but it’s cloudy almost every day and it’s common to be raining. Summer isn’t so hot and you can enjoy the sun most days.
Security	Unless you stand close to the fence there is usually no problem, but obviously if the police tell you, you must leave. If you go to the spots mentioned below, there should be no problem since these are not right at the fence. Furthermore, some spots are close to Gas Stations or Industrial Zones. Do not disturb the area or the staff. People are working there. If you act in a responsible way theoretically there should be no problem. For any legal questions, I would recommend asking “Aena” via Email. For more detailed information about spotting there, I would recommend contacting Spotters in the area.
Runway Usage
10/28	Rarely used. Only for some business jets that will probably be parking on the old apron.
12/30	Used by general aviation and commercial flights. Suitable for nearly all types of planes. 30 is the most used direction since south wind is less common in Bilbao.

	Spot #1- Galp Gas Station – 30 Arrivals
WHERE	Located near Galp Gas station on road BI-737 or Txorierri Bidea Street place between the roundabout and the cemetery of Derio. Park at the station, cross the road and find a spot along the roadside. You can easily arrive using public transport by EuskoTren train or various Bizkaibus bus lines from the inner city.
WHAT	Perfect to get the final approach of planes landing on runway 30. You won’t see the planes’ touchdown though.
TIME	Midday till sunset in summer, in winter all day.
MISC.	You are close to a Gas Station, so you can buy things. The closest restaurants are in Derio. Never disturb the Gas Station zone/staff.
FOCAL LENGTH	55-300mm recommended ATR = 200mm A320 = 140mm

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	Spot #2 – Concrete platform – Nearly all movements
WHERE	If you drive from Derio all along Santo Domingo Hiribidea Street, you will end up seeing some buildings with a parking lot on the right side of the road. You have to go to the bottom of the parking lot, where a path surrounded by trees starts. Then you will see a slope. Once at the top, there is a small concrete hut on the right. Just behind it you will see a small platform from where you can see the planes. You can get there by public transport, Bus (Line A3224) or by EuskoTren train. If you take the train, you will have to walk for 15 minutes from the Dario train station all along Santo Domingo Hiribidea Street until you arrive in the parking lot.
WHAT	You have a visual of most of the airport. You can see the final approach in runway 30, 30 landings, taxi to 30, 12 landings and general movements in the new terminal and apron.
TIME	Afternoons are best. Midday till sunset in summer, in winter all day.
MISC.	There are some restaurants nearby and you are close to Derio, but It’s better if you take everything you need with you because there is a steep slope to arrive at the spot. If you go in summer, heat distortion and heat haze may be an issue on the runway due to the high distance. DO NOT ENTER ANY PRIVATE PROPERTY! Stay at the first/southern/smaller platform.
FOCAL LENGTH	150-600mm A320 = 250mm

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	Spot #3 – Football Pitch – 12 Departures
WHERE	The spot is a bit after Fronton of Larrondo (in Elotxelerri Bidea Street), before arriving at Loiu Football Pitch. The best place is at the entrance to the parking lot. To get there by public transport you can take the EuskoTren train  or various Bizkaibus bus lines from the city center.
WHAT	Perfect to get departures from runway 12. You will see the planes once they have rotated only. Some planes may rotate late, but that should not be a problem if your lense can reach 300mm.
TIME	Late morning till early evening in summer, in winter all day.
MISC.	Restaurants are nearby along Txorierri Bidea.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-300mm recommended A320 = 210 mm A321 = 180 mm

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	Spot #4 – Industrial Zone – 30 Departures
WHERE	There is a small sidewalk linking Txorierri Bidea and Berreteaga Bidea streets. The best view is from the end of this small street, once you arrive in the industrial zone. You can move to the right using the pavement so as to see the planes better. Parking is available directly at the spot. To get there by public transport you can take the EuskoTren train  or various Bizkaibus bus lines from the city center.
WHAT	Perfect for shots after 30 takeoff.
TIME	Late morning till early evening in summer, in winter all day.
MISC.	Restaurants are nearby, but not hotels. Spot always from the sidewalk, never disturbing the Industrial zone. People are working there and may get suspicious.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm 270mm = A319/320

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	Spot #5 – Petronor-Repsol Gas Station – 12 Arrivals
WHERE	Near Petronor-Repsol Gas station, along road BI-2704 or Katea-Loiu Etorbidea Street on the sidewalk. Parking is available at the gas station. To get there by public transport you can take the Bizkaibus Bus (Line A2153) from the city center/airport.
WHAT	Perfect to get the final approach for planes landing on runway 12. You won’t see the planes‘ touch down.
TIME	Midday till sunset in summer, in winter all day.
MISC.	You can buy something to eat at the Gas station, but the closest restaurants are in Asua. You will have to walk for 15-20 minutes to arrive there. Do not disturb the Gas Station facilities/staff.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-300mm recommended E175 = 210 mm A321 = 250 mm

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