Copa Airlines’ Panama Stopover Program Hits Record: 95,000 Passengers in First Half of 2025
Copa Airlines, in partnership with the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) and PROMTUR Panama, announced the results of its Panama Stopover program for the first half of 2025. The airline recorded nearly 95,000 Stopover passengers, an 18% increase compared to the same period the previous year.
This program allows transit passengers at the Hub of the Americas® to explore Panama as a tourist destination without additional airfare costs, turning a layover into an opportunity to experience two destinations for the price of one.
Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines, emphasized that the connectivity of the Hub of the Americas® is a strategic advantage that boosts tourism, stimulates the economy, and generates thousands of direct and indirect jobs. “The results achieved in the first half of 2025 reflect the hard work of a team that proudly carries our Panamanian flag to the highest skies of the continent,” he stated.
→ Copa Airlines Strengthens Its Network in August: Over 1,300 Weekly Frequencies to 80 Destinations
Short Stays, Intense Experiences
The average stay for Stopover passengers was three days. The Panama Canal remains the top attraction, but local cuisine, shopping, and cultural diversity have also become favorite activities.
July Sets a Historic Record
In July 2025, the program welcomed over 17,500 passengers, marking its best month since its launch in 2019. This growth reflects the increasing interest of international travelers in discovering Panama.
Optimistic Projections for the End of 2025
Backed by more than 80 tourism sector partners and an upgraded digital platform, Panama Stopover aims to surpass 185,000 visitors by the end of the year.
Since its inception, the program has attracted over 640,000 tourists. In 2024 alone, more than 160,000 visitors took advantage of this option—a 25% increase compared to 2023—accounting for 8% of the country’s total visitors.
The initiative demonstrates that transforming a layover into a tourist experience not only benefits the airline and its passengers but also strengthens Panama’s image as a must-visit destination in the region.
Related Topics
KLM Cancels 100 Flights This Wednesday After Ground Staff Strike Announcement
London Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4 Reopens Following Hazardous Materials Incident
airBaltic Launches Direct Route Between Riga and Faro, Portugal
Icelandair Launches Direct Flights Between Reykjavik and Istanbul
Plataforma Informativa de Aviación Comercial con 13 años de trayectoria.