The Barcelona Air Route Development Committee (CDRA) has ensured that Barcelona-El Prat Airport boasts its most extensive network of direct flights to Asia, a strategic region key to its new 2026-2030 Strategic Plan. This milestone is the result of collaboration between the CDRA—comprising the Government of Catalonia, the City Council of Barcelona, the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona, and Aena—airline companies, and sector agents.
Currently, Barcelona directly connects with Asian economic and financial hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Seoul. These connections facilitate the movement of passengers and goods, strengthening ties between Catalonia and Asian economic, technological, industrial, and logistics centers.
Regarding South Korea, connections to Seoul will be progressively operated by Korean Air, following the integration of Asiana Airlines. The airline has expressed its intention to increase weekly frequencies on the route in the near future, responding to high demand and the destination's growth potential.
The CDRA's 2026-2030 Strategic Plan identifies Asia as a priority market for expanding Barcelona's international connectivity. The region's economic growth, increasing trade flows, and rise in business and tourism travel make this continent a key target for attracting new routes.
The consolidation of these connections enhances Catalonia's international competitiveness, facilitates business internationalization, attracts investment, and increases the arrival of high-value visitors. Furthermore, these routes are crucial for air cargo transport, particularly in high-value sectors like pharmaceuticals, technology, fashion, and fresh produce.
CDRA studies estimate a potential demand of over 1.8 million annual passengers between Barcelona and Asian markets currently lacking direct connections. This figure, added to the growth potential of existing routes, supports the CDRA's ongoing work to consolidate routes, increase frequencies, and incorporate new connections.
Through this strategy, the CDRA reaffirms its commitment to positioning Barcelona as one of Southern Europe's leading intercontinental hubs, fostering an increasingly extensive and competitive international network for the economic and business development of Catalonia.
The Barcelona Air Route Development Committee (CDRA) was established in 2005 to promote new intercontinental routes from Barcelona Airport. It comprises the Government of Catalonia, the City Council of Barcelona, the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona, and Aena.
