Skift Take
Although Spanish officials are thrilled about major Chinese carriers boosting service to the country, they're not simply relying on that increase in their quest to attract visitors from of one of its major markets.
Chinese airlines have upped the number of weekly flights to Spain by more than five times since the end of China's zero-COVID policy in December, filling most of the gap left by European rivals due to a ban on flying over Russia.
"We've managed to restore 60% of the direct connections (with China) we had before the pandemic, and we hope to increase this figure by year-end and close the gap next year," Miguel Sanz, general director of Spain's tourism board Turespana, told Reuters.
Air China, China Eastern Airline