Copa airlines much more than just Panama

DESTINATIONS like Machu Picchu, Peru, Cancun, Mexico, Cartagena, Columbia will be a lot easier to visit with the introduction of a new twice weekly flight from Copa Airlines out of Panama linking Barbados to wider Latin America.

This is the assurance from Camille Hackett commercial manager for Copa Airlines in Trinidad, Curacao, Aruba and Barbados who was speaking at the official launch of flight CMO 0260 at the Hilton Barbados on Monday night.

Hackett mused that while persons only associate Panama with the airline, Tocumen International Airport in Panama City is actually a major hub through which the possibilities for travellers are endless. In fact, she noted that with the introduction of Barbados, the airline will now be visiting 78 destinations in 32 countries.

“With this new route we will become the only airline that can connect this Caribbean island with the rest of the Latin American continent and our two-weekly flights will strengthen our leadership in the Caribbean,” she stated.

“The air connectivity between Panama and Barbados will bring important opportunities for the development and consolidation of both touristic and commercial activities. As well as for Panama and the other 77 destinations the airline offers. It will allow for our tourists from the continent especially South America to visit the island,” it was further revealed.

She noted that since starting its operation in Trinidad with four flights, Copa Airlines has now increased to 12 flights weekly.

According to Hackett, not only is Copa a world class airline, it is also considered the shopping Mecca of Latin America and offers the most international destinations.

The commercial manager told industry professionals that the business model of Copa allows the team to increase the quantity of the new destinations, increase the frequency into key cities in the American continent and enlarge the fleet of aircraft with the best technology in the market to ensure the comfort and well-being of the passengers.

Additionally, she noted that schedules are strategically planned to assure quick and uninterrupted connections from one destination to another. “The Infrastructure of the airport facilitates very short connection times. Some as little as 45 minutes. That being said it means that the direct connections, there is no clearing of customs and immigration,” she told a shocked audience of industry stakeholders.

Hackett also boasted of the airline’s recognition for best on-time performance in Latin America for four consecutive years and recognition of being the second airline with the best on-time performance in the world by the official Airline Guide for two consecutive years.
(JH)