Copa Airlines has announced that its growth plans for the first half of the year will include new direct flights from Panama City, Panama to Georgetown, Guyana.
In a press release, Copa Air-lines Sales Manager Guillermo Gomez said the Panama–Guyana route will operate two weekly flights from July 11 on Tuesdays and Fridays. This will allow Guyanese passengers easier access to more destinations while opening the country’s tourism products to more markets.
Passengers can expect a world-class service along with the best digital service for the finest travel experience, the company said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali hailed the new partnership saying that government will be working closely with Copa and the travel trade to maximize the opportunity it offers.
Government welcomes “the introduction of this reputable air carrier” as a “very important development for our tourism sector, that brings with it tremendous benefits, as it provides a gateway for our guests to connect between Guyana and South America and with other destinations on Copa,” he said.
The new route is expected to be more efficient while providing quicker access to almost every international destination. Other direct flights are from Panama to Montreal, Canada, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Copa will also add aircraft to its fleet for a 10 per cent growth in seating capacity. The new routes will strengthen the airline’s position in regional air travel and provide passengers in Georgetown, Montreal and Fort Lauderdale with the fastest and most efficient way to connect with Latin America via Copa’s Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama, thereby increasing travel options and improving connections throughout its extensive route network.
Founded in 1947, Copa Airlines, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S.A said its sustained growth in recent years has allowed it to reinforce its leadership in the region and to continue its reputation as “the most successful and efficient hub for travel to and from, as well as within, Latin America,” CEO Pedro Heilbron said.
The airline will add eight new Boeing Next Generation 737-800 aircraft this year, bringing its total fleet to 98 state-of-the-art aircraft, and increasing available seats by 10 per cent.
The new route to Guyana is Copa Airlines’ first to this South American country, which will connect 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. The Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama is the hub with the most destinations and international flights on the continent. Last year, Copa Airlines reportedly transported 11,316,678 million passengers; increased seat capacity by 14 per cent; received Skytrax awards for “Best Airline” and “Best Cabin and Airport Crew” in Central America and the Caribbean; added two destinations to its route network: Boston, Massachusetts, and Tampa Bay, Florida; added 13 flight frequencies to key destinations already served; achieved an on-time performance of nearly 90 per cent, on par with the best airlines in the world.
Copa also received seven new Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft, ending 2013 with a fleet of 90 aircraft; 5,783 employees in Panama and 8,644 throughout the Americas. Copa Airlines is also a member of the Star Alliance, the leading global airline network, offering passengers 1,328 destinations in 195 countries with more than 21,900 daily flights and 900 VIP lounges, the press release said.
