Cathay Pacific is deepening its footprint in Latin America through an expanded codeshare agreement with Iberia, adding four new destinations: Fortaleza and Recife in Brazil, Buenos Aires in Argentina, and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. This marks the Hong Kong-based carrier’s first entry into both Argentina and the Dominican Republic, broadening connectivity between Asia and the Belt and Road region.
The new codeshare points bring Cathay Pacific’s total Latin American served destinations to ten across four countries, all via partnerships. The airline currently codeshares with Iberia and other carriers to offer onward connections from its Madrid hub.
Daily Hong Kong-Madrid Service from October 2026
To support the expanded network, Cathay Pacific will increase its non-stop Hong Kong-Madrid service to daily frequency starting 25 October 2026. The route, launched in 2016, is currently operated five times weekly. The upgraded schedule will include staggered late-night departures from Europe on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, providing more flexibility for business and leisure travellers.
“We are delighted to welcome these new destinations in Latin America to our codeshare network,” said Lavinia Lau, Cathay’s Chief Customer and Commercial Officer. “Furthermore, by increasing our Madrid service to daily, we are reinforcing our position as the only airline offering non-stop connectivity between Hong Kong and Spain.”
The Madrid route has become a critical link for both corporate and leisure traffic between Asia and Spain. Cathay Pacific also operates a seasonal service to Barcelona with four flights per week during peak periods.
The expansion comes as Cathay Pacific delays its Dubai and Riyadh passenger and cargo restart to late October 2026, indicating a strategic focus on strengthening existing European gateways rather than rushing into new Middle Eastern markets.
Industry analysts note that the Latin American additions align with broader trends in premium travel surges across Asia-Pacific routes, as carriers seek to capture growing demand from high-yield passengers connecting through European hubs.
The codeshare agreement leverages Iberia’s extensive network from its Madrid hub, which serves over 20 destinations in Latin America. Cathay Pacific passengers can now book single-ticket itineraries from Hong Kong to these new cities, with seamless baggage transfer and frequent flyer benefits.
For travel professionals, the expanded network opens new opportunities for corporate travel between Asia and Latin America, particularly in sectors such as finance, mining, and agribusiness. The daily Madrid frequency also enhances connectivity for MICE groups and tour operators building multi-city itineraries.
Cathay Pacific’s move underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in rebuilding long-haul networks post-pandemic. As Asia Pacific carriers posted $12.1B net profit in 2025, airlines are increasingly using codeshares to extend reach without deploying additional aircraft.
The new codeshare destinations are available for booking now, with travel commencing from late October 2026. Cathay Pacific continues to evaluate further network expansion as it restores its pre-pandemic route map.
