The Asian market gains new momentum at Barcelona airport after the stoppage of the pandemic and the closure of China.
Hong Kong, one of the most valued and strategic intercontinental destinations in the long-haul airline industry, will soon be added to the direct flights with Beijing, Shenzhen, Seoul and Singapore. Cathay Pacific will resume the direct route between El Prat and the Asian city starting June 17 with flights every Monday, Thursday and Saturday, operated with a 280-seat Airbus A350-900, the airline explains.
The company thus reestablishes a route that opened from Barcelona for the first time in 2017 and that was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. “In the last year we have focused our efforts on rebuilding our network,” says Kinto Chan, general director of Cathay Pacific in Europe. The airline resumed operating the route between Madrid and Hong Kong at the end of 2022, for which the frequency of flights has increased given the “high demand” they have had, with takeoffs on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. “We are delighted to now be able to incorporate Barcelona again,” adds Chan.
The direct route with Hong Kong also facilitates connection with other key destinations in Asia and the Pacific for Barcelona. Cathay has a large hub in Hong Kong that links with the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and mainland China. In this way, a new route of arrival is opened for the segment of travelers that the city wants to promote.
The one in Hong Kong will not be the only novelty in the Chinese market for El Prat. Air China, which covers the route with Beijing, will increase frequencies starting in April, with daily flights to the Chinese capital, confirmed from the country's consulate in Barcelona.
Since Air China reopened flights from El Prat last summer, it has transported 55,428 passengers between Beijing and Barcelona, according to Aena data referring to 2023. For its part, Shenzhen Airlines, the airline that connects with the great technological region China, has moved 42,904 travelers, taking into account that it has only been flying from El Prat since September. Private aviation has also transported 12,496 passengers between China and the Catalan capital during 2023.
Among the other Asian destinations, Korea stands out, with nearly 196,000 travelers to Barcelona last year. Korean Airlines and Asiana are the busiest airlines on this route.
