King of Spain meets with Canadian airline executives to celebrate ‘Two Countries, One Connection’

His Majesty the King of Spain, Felipe VI was in Toronto last week to meet with senior executives of major Canadian airlines, along with other dignitaries to mark the growing air connections between Spain and Canada.

Organized by the Consul for Tourism Affairs in Canada (Spain Tourism Office in Canada), the event took place at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto, where His Majesty the King of Spain was joined by the Ambassador of Spain in Canada; the Minister of Commerce in Spain; the Ambassador of Canada in Spain; the First Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister of Economy, Trade and Business; and the President of Airbus in Spain to meet with the representatives of major Canadian airlines

Airline representatives included: Iberia’s Corporate Director, Juan Cierco; Air Transat’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Annick Guérard and its Chief Revenue Officer, Sebastian Ponce; Air Canada’s Director, International Affairs and Facilitation, Daniela Mauro; its Principal, Joseph Malalla; and its Director, Market Development & Sales Strategy, Aaron Balinsky and from WestJet, Steve McClelland, Vice President of Loyalty, Commercial & Business Development and Sam Taylor, Group  Executive Vice-President and Chief Experience Officer and during the meeting, representatives had the opportunity to greet the King.

The main goal of the event was to highlight the increase in connectivity between Spain and Canada.

In 2022, there were only 8 routes, while in 2026 there will be 17 direct flights between Canada and Spain. The number of seats has nearly tripled over the past four years – from 202 K to 537 K.

In 2026, there will be direct flights to 7 Spanish cities, including, for the first time, the islands. In summer 2026, the new Montreal–Mallorca route will be launched, and in winter there will be direct connections to the Canary Islands, with direct flights from both Montreal and Toronto to Gran Canaria and Tenerife.

Another new development in 2026 is the addition of a Spanish airline, IBERIA, which will begin operating flights from Toronto to Madrid next June.

With this meeting between His Majesty the King and representatives of the airlines, the Spain Tourism Office in Canada highlighted this significant growth and the strengthening of the connection between the two countries.

Photos courtesy of @Casa de S.M. el Rey