The number of Spanish travellers to destinations in the Far East is on the rise, driven by new air links, a new report has shown.

According to data from ForwardKeys, international outbound flights from Spain increased 2.7% last year, and the biggest increase was in departures to Asia Pacific countries – a trend that is set to continue in 2017.

Passenger traffic from Spain to Asia Pacific destinations jumped 15.7% in 2016, with double-digit growth to China (+13%), Japan (+16%), India (+17%) and Vietnam (+32%). Much of this growth can be attributed to certain airlines increasing their capacity to the region, with overall available seat numbers up 38%.

The growth in capacity is partly due to Chinese airlines seeing Spain as a safe and attractive destination, and as a result creating capacity on return flights.

Growth started in the second half of last year, aided by Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong-Madrid), Iberia (Madrid-Shanghai and Madrid-Tokyo) and China Eastern Airlines (Madrid-Shanghai). Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways however, dropped routes.

The landscape for next six months is still evolving, with Air India, Korean Air and Beijing Capital Airlines all set to launch new services. Total international scheduled capacity from Spain will increase by 9.3% in the first half of 2017, but capacity to Asia will jump 163%.

Easter remains a favourite time for Spanish outbound travel, but demand also peaks in July and August and over the Christmas period. Most travellers are late bookers according to ForwardKeys – 52% book only a 1.5 months before the trip, even for the Easter holidays. The average length-of-stay in the Asia Pacific region was 18 days.