05.12.2024
Santa Claus has already arrived in Łódź! Today, he landed at the airport, bringing plenty of gifts for children. Keep an eye out for him, as he’s making his way around Łódź and the Łódź Voivodeship.
This year, Santa flew in directly from Alicante, Spain. Alicante is a city whose patron is Saint Nicholas, and it has a direct flight connection with Łódź. Flights between Łódź and Alicante operate twice a week, and Santa took advantage of this route to reach the children of Łódź.
The Ryanair plane landed on time. Children waiting on the tarmac eagerly looked out for Santa at the airplane’s door, waving and shouting loudly, “Santa! Santa!” When excitement was at its peak, he finally appeared! Dressed in a red cape, with a beard and a sack of presents, the special passenger was welcomed at the airplane steps by Anna Midera, President of the Łódź Airport, along with elves and a white lion from the Borysew Zoo. Santa then approached the waiting children and handed out candies.
“I’ve flown to you from faraway Spain, from the beautiful city of Alicante. That’s where I’ve been preparing with my reindeer for the Christmas season. As you know, this is the busiest time for Santa. He must work double and triple shifts to reach all the children because every child is wonderful, well-behaved, and deserves a gift. Santa works day and night, traveling around the world, but I love this work and love all children. I wish you a beautiful, joyful Christmas filled with happiness and a touch of white snow,” said Santa.
While Santa was talking with the children, the airport’s ground staff unloaded the aircraft’s cargo hold, which was filled with gifts. Everything had to comply with regulations: several carts went to the baggage sorting area for customs inspection before being sent on a conveyor belt to the arrivals hall. There, Santa handed each child their individual, pre-ordered gift. The packages included toys, sweets, plush animals, books, puzzles, Christmas mugs, educational games, clothing, hygiene products, blankets, and even beautifully crafted hoodies and t-shirts sewn especially for teenagers from orphanages by an anonymous, generous person.
“For the eighth time, we are welcoming Santa at our airport to share moments of joy and emotion. And for the eighth time, together with our partners, we’ve prepared a multitude of gifts for the youngest ones. This year, 20 companies, as well as the Marshal’s Office, the City of Łódź Office, municipal companies, airport employees, and private individuals, participated in the charitable campaign ‘Santa’s Landing in Łódź.’ Together, we’ve prepared over 300 presents. This year, in addition to visiting childcare institutions and foundations, we will, for the first time, visit the Janusz Korczak Pediatric Hospital and try to bring some happiness to the young patients there,” said Anna Midera, President of Łódź Airport.
Santa’s convoy departed from the airport terminal and visited the Mother and Child Shelter named after Stanisława Leszczyńska, the Janusz Korczak Pediatric Hospital, the Dom Foundation in Łódź, the Łupkowa Hospice, and local orphanages.