Emirates expands Spanish links with Barcelona flight

Dubai: Emirates announced yesterday that Barcelona will be its second Spanish destination from July. The carrier also said it is doubling flights to the Spanish capital Madrid.

The airline said in a statement that the boost to its flights to Spain came on the back of mounting demand for its Madrid service, which was launched in August 2010.

The flight, which will be daily, marks the company's 30th European destination.

"Emirates is making a very significant investment in Spain. To announce a new destination and a doubling of services to an existing gateway at the same time demonstrates our belief in the market," Tim Clark, President, said. "Madrid has been a strong performer and the demand is there for a second frequency, while we need a second point serving the dynamic Catalonia region."

Catalonia receives approximately 25 per cent of annual foreign investment in Spain, and more than half of the Japanese, French, German, American, Italian and Dutch companies in Spain are located in the region, according to the Barcelona City Council.

The city is home to a population of about 1.6 million — a figure rising to more than 7 million across the Catalonia region.

On July 1, Emirates will launch a second daily service to Madrid.

EK 143 will also be operated with a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, departing Dubai daily at 2.25pm and arriving in Madrid at 8.20pm.

The return flight, EK 144, leaves Madrid at 10.10pm and arrives in Dubai at 7.15am the next day.