Emirates launched the first regular A380 service to Spain with daily flights to Barcelona replacing the Boeing 777 previously operated on the route.
The airline expects the service to contribute to Spain’s economic growth. The expansion is in response to strong passenger demand.
“Barcelona, ‘the business corridor of the Mediterranean,’ has a vibrant economy. It is attracting foreign investment across sectors, and it is building on its position as an international congress center and multifaceted tourism destination,” said Thierry Aucoc, Emirates senior vice president commercial operations, Europe and the Russian Federation.
Emirates SkyCargo operates in Spain from Barcelona in addition to Madrid and Zaragoza. The airline carries made-in-Spain goods to Dubai and beyond with most exports bound for countries such as Australia, China, India and Indonesia.
Emirates’ cargo volume for all Spanish origin points grew 44 percent last year.
The United Arab Emirates and Spain have a trade relationship that reached almost 2 billion euros (US$2.7 billion) in 2012.
Aircargo World