Barcelona airport sets record for direct Asia flights

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport now has its widest-ever network of direct Asian connections, with the route committee targeting further growth through 2030.

Brandon Watea · 7 Aug 2026 · 2 min read

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport has reached its largest-ever network of direct connections to Asia, according to the Barcelona Air Route Development Committee (CDRA). The routes link Barcelona directly with Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul.

For travellers and businesses in Barcelona and Catalonia, the network provides non-stop links to major Asian economic, technology, industrial and logistics centres. The CDRA estimates that more than 1.8 million passengers a year could travel between Barcelona and Asian markets that still have no direct connection.

Airlines expand services to China and Singapore

The CDRA is made up of the Generalitat, the Ajuntament de Barcelona, the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and Aena, Spain's airport operator. It said the current range of services reflects Asian airlines' confidence in the Catalan market.

Air China operates 14 weekly flights to Beijing between July and September.
Air China also operates seven weekly flights to Shanghai between July and September.
Singapore Airlines operates five weekly flights to Singapore.

Air China lists a Barcelona-Shanghai service on its Barcelona-Shanghai route page, scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing Barcelona at 12:40 and arriving in Shanghai the following morning at 06:50.

Asia is a priority in the 2026–2030 plan

Under the CDRA's 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, Asia is one of the priority markets for expanding Barcelona's international air links. The committee cites economic growth, trade flows and increased business and tourism travel as reasons for targeting the region.

Services between Barcelona and Seoul are expected to move progressively to the Korean Air brand once the operational integration of Asiana Airlines into Korean Air is complete. Korean Air has told the CDRA it intends to strengthen its Barcelona presence and increase the route's weekly frequency because of demand.

Passengers should check the relevant airline's current timetable and booking conditions before travelling, as flight frequencies can change by season.

Reported by ground.news, catalannews.com, R. N. / AGENCIAS, airchina.co.uk, comunicatur, metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, Cristina Buesa, ebresource.airchina.com.cn, Written By AeroRoutes - Jim Liu, barcelonaaldia.com, Maite Gutiérrez, METRÓPOLI, betevé.