Holiday in Spain? Cathay Pacific to begin direct flights from Hong Kong to Madrid next summer

Cathay Pacific will begin direct flights to Madrid from next summer in what analysts say is the airline throwing down the gauntlet to Middle Eastern carriers in competition for routes between Spain and Asia.

The route will open up potential new onward connections to Latin America and North Africa for Hong Kong-based travellers and businesses.

Madrid will be the fourth European city in the last two years added to the list of destinations on the continent served by non-stop Cathay flights from Hong Kong, following the launch of services to Manchester, Dusseldorf and Zurich.

Spain’s consul general in Hong Kong, Santiago Martinez-Caro, said the consulate and businesses “all see this as a very important move for the relationship between Hong Kong and Spain”.

A record number of 1,594 Spaniards are now living in Hong Kong, according to consulate figures, and bilateral trade last year reached €1.1 billion (HK$9.52 billion).

Spanish soccer teams Real Madrid and Barcelona have even opened offices in the city in a bid to attract Asian fans.

Analysts said the new flight route was an attempt by Cathay to exert pressure on Middle Eastern airlines with cheap airfares and a more extensive network.