Emirates Launches First A380 Flights To Barcelona

Emirates has launched the first regular A380 service to Spain with daily superjumbo flights to Barcelona, replacing the Boeing 777 previously operating the route.

Adding over 2,200 seats per week between Dubai and Barcelona, Emirates said its newly-expanded operation is “a direct response to strong passenger demand”.

Thierry Aucoc, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Europe and the Russian Federation, said Barcelona serves as ‘the business corridor of the Mediterranean’ and its economy is “vibrant” – although Spain has only recently pulled out of a deep two-year recession.

“It is attracting foreign investment across sectors, and it is building on its position as an international congress centre and multi-faceted tourism destination,” he said.

As with its other A380 destinations, Emirates will look to funnel Spaniards into Dubai and onto its global network – particularly Asian markets such as Hong Kong and Bangkok.

Barcelona-El Prat Airport handled a record 35 million passengers last year, of which only 50,000 travelled to the UAE, but with Emirates’ superjumbo arrival that figure looks set to increase.

The city welcomed almost more than 5 million visitors between January and September of last year, with more than 500,000 visitors coming to attend the over 800 international congresses, further benchmarking Barcelona’s attractiveness as a business tourism destination.

Spain, much like Ireland, now enjoys better links with Gulf carriers, after years when both countries weren’t so well connected.