Plans To Add 10 Percent In Capacity Through New Airplane Purchases

Copa Airlines plans to acquire eight new Boeing Next Generation 737-800 aircraft in 2014, bringing its total fleet to 98 aircraft and increasing capacity by 10 percent. The airliner acquisitions will be made to facilitate the airline's plans to launch new direct flights from Panama to: Montreal; Canada, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Georgetown, Guyana.

In a news release, the airline said the new routes will strengthen Copa's position in regional air travel and provide passengers in Montreal, Fort Lauderdale and Georgetown the fastest and most efficient way to connect with Latin America via Copa's Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport in Panama, thus increasing travel options and improving connections throughout Copa Airlines' extensive route network. "Our sustained growth in recent years has allowed us to reinforce our leadership in the region and to continue the Hub of the Americas' position as the most successful and efficient hub for travel to and from, as well as within, Latin America," explained Copa CEO Pedro Heilbron. "Our success has benefited Latin America, and has stimulated business and the creation of new jobs and investment in Panama."

As part of its effort to increase its route network in the northern part of the continent, Copa will offer four-times-weekly flights to the city of Montreal, a major world cultural center and a well-known tourism destination. The new flight, which will begin June 3 of this year, is Copa's second Canadian destination.

Copa will offer flights four times a week between Fort Lauderdale, FL, and the Hub of the Americas, beginning July 11, 2014. The coastal region, with its booming tourism industry and growing Latin American population, will be Copa's fourth destination in the state of Florida and its 10th in the United States.

Beginning July 11, 2014, Copa will offer twice-weekly flights to Georgetown, the capital and principal city of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. The new route, Copa Airlines' first to this South American country, connects the area with Panama and the region.

The new cities served will bring Copa Airlines' total number of destinations to 69 in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean served from its Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama.

Last year, the airline took delivery of seven new Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft, ending 2013 with a fleet of 90 aircraft.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.copaair.com