Cathay Pacific adds new link between Hong Kong and Madrid

CATHAY Pacific Airways will begin a new route between Hong Kong and Madrid next year, becoming the second carrier after Air China to offer direct flights between Spain and China.

Set to begin on June 2, 2016, the four-times weekly service will be operated on a Boeing 777-300ER, departing on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Ivan Chu, CEO of Cathay Pacific, said the new route forms part of the company’s expansion plans in Europe, with services recently launched to Manchester, Zurich and Düsseldorf.

While a high percentage of business traffic is predicted for the Madrid route, the airline says the service will not only open up a new gateway for Chinese travellers visiting Spain but also for those flying onward to destinations in Latin America.

Currently, Spain has only one airline offering direct flights between the two countries. Air China flies five times a week to Madrid and three to Barcelona.

Welcoming the new route, Roberto Xu, director of Madrid-based Asia specialist operator, Viajes Extremo Oriente, said: “At the moment there are very few direct flights between Spain and China. (By) using Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific will provide a good link with the south of China, as well as countries like the Philippines.”

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