Air China starts route from Beijing to Barcelona

Air China Ltd opened a new Beijing-Vienna-Barcelona route on Monday, the latest industry move catering to increased cultural exchanges between China and Europe.

An Airbus A330-300 will fly the route-Air China's 23rd to Europe where it now has 19 city destinations-four times a week. It will be the first direct flight from Beijing to Barcelona.

Wang Yingpo from the Beijing-based Caissa travel service leads groups on trips to Spain. They used to have to transfer in Dubai or Hong Kong, and the new service will save four to five hours' travel time, he said on Monday.