Emirates launches' Spain's first A380 service

Adding over 2,200 seats per week between Dubai and Barcelona, Emirates’ newly-expanded operation is a direct response to strong passenger demand.  It will also help contribute to Spain’s economic growth and enable more passengers to experience its flagship A380 product. Barcelona joins a host of 25 other major cities around the world to be served by an Emirates A380. 

“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 centre and multifaceted tourism destination. Accordingly, we have seen growing demand for air transport to and from this exciting city, and our A380 service is a direct response to that demand. We are proud to bring our flagship A380 aircraft to Spain, and to provide our customers with options to continue their A380 experience with just one stop in Dubai, to a range of global destinations including popular Asian markets such as Hong Kong and Bangkok,” said Thierry Aucoc, senior vice president commercial operations Europe and the Russian Federation. 

Sonia Corrochano, director of Barcelona Airport, said:  "A daily A380 service in itself is testimony to the potential and appeal of the city, and of the airport in its own right. The commitment shown by Emirates underlines again that we are a competitive airport that is prepared to fulfil the requirements of the airlines serving our destination and adapt to their needs, and also that we are able to improve day by day in offering even better services of ever-higher quality,"   

Barcelona-El Prat Airport set a new record in 2013 with over 35 million passengers passing through its facilities. Over 50,000 of those passengers travelled to the United Arab Emirates, according to the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce’s Air Route Committee. 

"Having welcomed 100 million visitors within the last 20 years, Barcelona is now in a position to further grow as a global tourism destination. The arrival of the Emirates A380 is a significant development for the city and for the Catalonia region that will help support our goals for further growth," said Pere Duran, director general Turisme de Barcelona.