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Copa Airlines announces 2011 expansion plans
Jan. 21, 2011, Panama City - Copa Airlines announced today that as of June 2011 it will increase daily flight frequencies to several countries in its extensive route network, offer more convenient schedules and begin service to three new destinations: Toronto, Canada; Porto Alegre, Brazil; and Nassau, Bahamas.
January 24, 2011 By Carey Fredericks
"Thanks to these new destinations and the increase in frequencies from our Hub of the Americas in Panama City, Copa Airlines continues to expand its coverage and reaffirm its leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean," said Pedro Heilbron, CEO. "Copa offers flights to more international destinations than any other airline from any other hub in the Region."
"The Hub of the Americas continues to be the most efficient and convenient connection point on the continent," Heilbron added. "The increase in flight frequencies will allow us to significantly improve our daily arrival and departure schedules to offer better connectivity, more flight options and more frequent connections throughout the day. In fact some destination will now have up to six daily frequencies."
In 2010 Copa Airlines transported more than 5.2 million passengers via the region's most complete route network through the Hub of the Americas The airline's on-time performance of greater than 90 percent (measured by industry standards established by the U.S. Department of Transportation), puts the airline in a leadership position in Latin America and among the best in the world. The arrival of 10 new Boeing 737-800 aircraft this year will signal even greater growth.
MORE FREQUENCIES AND CONVENIENT SCHEDULES FOR BUSINESS TRAVELERS
Copa Airlines' transition as of June 15 from a four-bank to a six-bank operational system (groups of connecting schedules) will allow the airline to better utilize Tocumen Airport's existing infrastructure as well as offer passengers more and better scheduling options.
As of June 15, the Hub of the Americas at Tocumen Airport will add to its existing flight banks, currently two in the morning and two in the afternoon, a group of early-morning departures – ideal for travelers who want to arrive at their destination early in the day – and a group of afternoon departures.
These operational changes also translate to significant improvements in Copa Airlines' flight schedules to major destinations on the American continent, such as New York's JFK Airport and Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., as well as to South America's principal cities.
Opportunities for connection will increase throughout Copa's extensive route network as well, resulting in shorter connecting times, giving the Panamanian airline a firm foothold as the best choice for connectivity and convenient travel schedules.
