Qatar Airways today spelled out its commitment to the Spanish market helping strengthen commercial and economic ties with the recently-introduced flights to Barcelona – its second route in Spain.

Celebrating five years of flying to the capital Madrid, the addition of services to Barcelona in June acknowledges the importance Qatar Airways places in the Spanish market.

Since the June 7 launch of daily non-stop flights between Barcelona and the airline’s operational hub in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar, Qatar Airways reports the new service proving to be strong. The route was introduced just in time for the busy summer holiday season.

Speaking at a press conference in Madrid today, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the airline’s Spanish expansion was part of a strategy to strengthen its position in Europe, where the carrier currently operates to 20 destinations – almost 20 per cent of its global network.

“Our Spanish flights give the travelling public easy access to popular business and leisure destinations across the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. With daily direct flights to Spain’s two major cities of Madrid and Barcelona, Qatar Airways in return boosts business and leisure traffic to one of Europe’s cultural capitals.