American Airlines Inaugurates DFW-Madrid Direct Flight, Business and Cultural Mission a Success

Texas' First Lady Anita Perry and 35 representatives from the Dallas region helped inaugurate American Airlines direct flight from Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport to Madrid, Spain's Barajas International Airport.

This flight is expected to generate an economic impact of $130 million annually for the DFW region.

Trade between DFW and Spain has steadily increased and is now the region's 30th largest trading partner reaching nearly $220 million in 2008. "Trade and investment ties between DFW and Spain have been expanding but not fast enough given our long historical ties," said Amb. James C. Oberwetter, president of the Dallas Regional Chamber. "This flight is a big step forward. It allows for significant development of the Texas-Spain economic and cultural relationship so that it may more quickly reach a higher plateau," he added.

The delegation consisted of business, government and cultural leaders from across the Dallas/ Fort Worth region. Representatives from the Dallas Regional Chamber and the Fort Worth Chamber joined the mission. The delegation spent time in Madrid and Valencia. The mission chair, Janet Kafka, led a fantastic mission alongside Mrs. Perry. Janet Kafka and Associates were able to partner with American Airlines and Spanish partners to put together a mission that allowed delegates to network with Spanish contacts from broad industry sectors, develop potential business opportunities, experience Spanish cultural highlights and enjoy great Spanish foods and wines.

This mission is certain to be one of many DFW-Spain activities to come and sought to begin building the cultural and business bridges certain to be expedited now with a direct flight.

Mission sponsors included: American Airlines, American Chamber of Commerce in Madrid, BBVA Compass, CEIM (Confederación Empresarial de Madrid), Cintra, City of Dallas, City of Fort Worth, Consulate of Spain in Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas Regional Chamber, Embassy of the United States of America in Madrid, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, InterContinental Hotel, IVEX (Instituto Valenciano de la Exportación), Janet Kafka and Associates, Madrid Chamber of Commerce, Madrid Global, Marta de Diego, Valencia-Dallas Committee, Meadows Museum, Promo Madrid, Promoción Madrid, Region of Valencia Tourist Board, State of Texas, Thompson & Knight, Tourist Office of Spain, Turismo Madrid, and Westin Hotel.

For more information on the Dallas Regional Chamber's international initiatives, please visit www.dallaschamber.org/global.