China Southern Airlines has launched direct flights between Guangzhou and Madrid, establishing the first non-stop air link between the southern Chinese metropolis and the Iberian Peninsula.

The route is operated by Boeing 787 aircraft with a flight time of approximately 13 to 14 hours, offering three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Flight CZ377 departs Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong Province, at 10:50 a.m. Beijing time and arrives in Madrid at 6:30 p.m. local time, while the return service, CZ378, leaves Madrid at 8:30 p.m. local time and touches down in Guangzhou at 4:40 p.m. the following day, Beijing time.

Meanwhile, China Southern Airlines has launched services for passengers from cities in southern China, including Kunming, Haikou and Shantou, to transfer in Guangzhou within three hours for travel to Madrid, a European transport hub. The route also facilitates onward travel from Madrid to Latin American destinations.

Spain serves as one of China's major trading partners within the European Union. This year is the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership.

The new route enhances the efficiency and convenience of transfer services for global passengers through Guangzhou and supports China's opening-up efforts, said Zeng Yongchao, deputy general manager of China Southern Air Holding Company Ltd.