Air Europa has finally made its dream of becoming the Great Link between China and Spain a reality by launching non-stop flights between Shangai - Madrid and Bejing - Madrid in cooperation with China Eastern Airlines on May 22nd, 2005.

At a recent press conference in Shanghai, Juan Jose Hidalgo, Chairman and President of Globalia , gave a comprehensive introduction about Air Europa and China`s market strategic position in Air Europa business. Further stating that for Air Europa the dream to be able to fly scheduled service to China has finally become a reality. This has been a project that the airline began working on since the summer of 2003 and with special intensity since November of 2004 when the aviation authorities of Spain and China agreed on the modification of the bi-laterals between the two countries, thus, allowing Air Europa to operate the route with scheduled frequencies. He gave a special gratitude to China Eastern Airlines stating we are very hononoured to be able to embark upon this journey with China Eastern as our partner in China in codesharing on the flights from China to Spain and beyond markets.

Juan Jose Hidalgo also highlighted, Air Europa is proud to be able to facilitate the promotion of the communication and mutual understandings between Spain and Shanghai /Beijing China. The opening of the direct flight between Spain and China is only the first step Air Europa and the entire Globalia Corporation will make in China. We are very grateful for the overwhelming support given by the Spanish and Chinese authorities as well as the incredible efforts demonstrated by China Eastern that we will add an additional frequency from Madrid to Shanghai this July.

Speeches were also given by Mr. Alejandro Alvargonzalez, Mr. Gu Han Xin, Mrs. Liu Jia Min, and Mr. Li Jin-gao to congratulate this new chapter in Air Europa`s Asian business development.

Air Europa`s new non-stop flights to Beijing and Shanghai, China will increase the tourism traffic between both countries that are now at very premature levels of 36,000 Spaniards that travel to China and around 20,000 Chinese tourists that visit Spain per year. Furthermore, the World Tourism Organisation predicts that China will be the principal touristic destination worldwide and the fourth country in the world in terms of outgoing tourism with over 100 million tourists per year by 2020.

The business traffic will also be positively affected by the new non-stop routes that Air Europa is launching between Madrid and Beijing/Shanghai, due to the growing trade between both countries and thanks to over 220 Spanish industries already present in China.

These new non-stop flights will not only benefit the residents of Spain and China, but will also facilitate travel between other European, African, Latin American and Asian countries where Air Europa and its codeshare partners service. One of the leading markets thus far has been Portugal where Air Europa has a codeshare agreement in place with PGA Portugalia Airlines providing seamless connections between Lisbon and Oporto to Madrid.