Tourism Minister Carlos Benavides this week praised a decision by Air Comet airlines to begin flying between San José and Madrid, Spain, as evidence that Costa Rica remains a “mature” and “trustworthy” tourist destination in which companies can invest.

The airline Monday began offering three flights weekly between Madrid and San José. This means new options for Europeans who want to visit Costa Rica; the airline is offering connecting flights to Costa Rica from London, Paris and Rome, according to a statement from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).

An airbus A-330 plane with capacity for 298 passengers will service the San José-Madrid route.

Benavides said ICT and Air Comet are working on developing strategies to market these flights, such as offering promotional trips for travel agents and journalists and contacting online travel sites.