Copa Airlines unveils growth plans for 2023
Copa Airlines shared Thursday the growth plans it will be promoting in 2023. The initiatives planned for this year focus on strengthening the Hub of the Americas, the region’s main hub, by increasing its network of destinations and flight frequencies, growing and modernizing the aircraft fleet and creating more jobs in Panama.
“More than 75 years of work and investment in Panama have consolidated us as the leading airline in the region, making the Hub of the Americas the preferred connection in Latin America, shortening distances and contributing to the tourism, economic and social development of the country and the entire continent. Today, in order to be sustainable in a more competitive and complex environment that has been impacted in recent years, we must accelerate our growth, generate new jobs and increase our direct contribution to the country’s economy,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines.
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As part of the announcements of plans for 2023, Copa Airlines confirmed the addition in recent years of 15 new Boeing 737 MAX model aircraft, an investment of US$2.1 billion, to the backlog. These aircraft are in addition to the original order signed in 2015 and the pending deliveries are expected to take place over the next five years. By 2023, the airline expects to take delivery of six additional Boeing 737 MAX 9s, reaching an active fleet of 99 aircraft (32 B737 MAX 9 models, 58 B737 800NG models and 9 B-737-700NG models).
In addition, Copa Airlines plans to renew the training fleet of the Latin American Aviation Academy (ALAS) with the acquisition of eight new Diamond DA40/42 model aircraft, equipped with modern technology to facilitate the learning process, meeting the highest safety standards. In addition, these aircraft are environmentally friendly, consuming up to 50% less fuel than those that will be replaced.
Copa Airlines also announced the acquisition of a fifth 737 MAX flight simulator for pilot training. With the addition of the new simulator, it will increase training capacity to support the airline’s growth needs.
Strengthen and increase Panama’s connectivity
In the first half of 2023, Copa Airlines will add three new destinations, Baltimore and Austin, in the United States, and Manta, in Ecuador, to operate a total of 80 destinations in 33 countries in the Americas. The airline’s international connectivity, which is greater than other hubs in the region, is a competitive advantage for Panama that highlights the impact and strategic relevance of the Hub of the Americas in the country’s economy. Additionally, Panama’s unique connectivity is an attraction for airlines from other regions of the world that complement their flights to the Central American country.
With the addition of new routes and increased flight frequencies to various destinations, Copa Airlines estimates an 11% growth in the number of passengers compared to 2022. By the end of 2023, it plans to transport 16.1 million passengers, reaching an operation of 328 daily flights, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Increase tourism in Panama and contribute to the country’s economic growth and social development
Copa Airlines will continue to implement successful initiatives to boost tourism and the Panamanian economy, such as the “Panama Stopover” program, which encourages transit passengers to stay a few days in Panama. Since 2019, this program has brought more than 260,000 visitors and it is estimated that in 2023, more than 115,000 tourists will enter Panama taking advantage of the Panama Stopover.
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Additionally, Copa continues to promote promotional fares to Panama through its “Panama Irresistible” initiative, through which it recorded a 27% increase in visitors on board the airline’s flights, as well as contributed to the promotion and advertising of the country using its social media platforms, copa.com, and other advertising spaces of the company such as the in-flight magazine Panorama.
Likewise, the airline’s growth will continue to positively benefit the production and progress of local businesses by bringing more 100% Panamanian products on board for the enjoyment of the millions of passengers traveling on Copa throughout the continent. Currently, small Panamanian companies such as Café Rogusta, Comercializadora Nico and F&F Foods are the main suppliers of products that are part of the airline’s onboard service.
Generating employment opportunities for Panamanian talent
In 2023, Copa Airlines plans to continue to be one of the largest generators of private sector employment in Panama. For this year, the airline expects to generate 520 new jobs in Panama, to reach a total of more than 7,600 employees, 5% more than it had in 2019.
In order to meet the demand for skilled labor, Copa Airlines continues to promote the Academia Latinoamericana de Aviación Superior (ALAS), a non-profit institution dedicated to training young Panamanians to become commercial pilots. It currently has 80 active students and expects to graduate close to 50 new pilots by 2023, who will join the airline’s team of pilots.
In connection with the demand for aviation mechanics, Copa continues to promote the Academy of Aeronautical Technicians (ATA), which aims to train highly qualified personnel in maintenance and inspection of aeronautical systems, under local and international quality standards. Since its founding, 132 aviation mechanics have graduated and 110 students are currently pursuing their studies. This nonprofit program recruits young people from Panamanian technical and vocational schools, offering training at no cost to the student and with a monthly scholarship of US$350 while they complete their studies.
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Plataforma Informativa de Aviación Comercial líder en América Latina.