New direct flight links south China's Guangzhou, Madrid

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 Beijing time and arrives in Madrid at 18:30 local time, while the return service, CZ378, leaves Madrid at 20:30 local time and touches down in Guangzhou at 16:40 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.

U.S. stocks ended higher on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 224.23 points, or 0.48 percent, to 46,565.74. The S&P 500 added 46.8 points, or 0.72 percent, to 6,575.32. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased by 250.32 points, or 1.16 percent, to 21,840.95.

Eight of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in the green, with industrials and communication services leading the gainers by each going up 1.65 percent. Meanwhile, energy and consumer staples led the laggards by dropping 3.89 percent and 0.57 percent, respectively.