Copa Airlines Achieves 93.41% On-Time Performance Record for 1st Quarter.

Business Editors/Travel Writers

PANAMA CITY, Panama--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2003

Copa Airlines today reported a first quarter on-time performance record of 93.41 percent, which includes five days of perfect on-time performance.

Due to the various internal and external factors airlines face on a day-to-day basis, a 100 percent on-time performance record is almost impossible to achieve for most commercial carriers. During 2002 Copa Airlines achieved a perfect record on 14 different occasions.

Copa Airlines measures its on-time performance utilizing the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) industry standard measure of a maximum 15-minute variation from the scheduled time of arrival.

"We're pleased to see that Copa Airlines' high-ranking on-time performance records remain constant," said Jorge Garcia Icaza, Commercial Vice-President. "Although achieving an on-time performance record of 100 percent is a great accomplishment, our team remains focused on excelling in every aspect of customer satisfaction to continually offer the best overall travel experience."

Copa Airlines offers daily non-stop service from Miami and Los Angeles to Panama City, as well as four times weekly from Orlando. Copa Airlines has a strategic alliance with Continental Airlines, including participation in Continental's award-winning frequent flyer program OnePass(R). Members of the program may earn miles on either Copa or Continental flights, as well as the opportunity to redeem miles for tickets, upgrades, and merchandise.

With more than 55 years of experience, Copa Airlines (copaair.com) flies to 29 destinations in 19 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. In November 2002, PODER Magazine, Booz, Allen & Hamilton and Egon Zehnder International gave Copa the "Best Regionalization in Latin America" award for its "successful development of its hub in Panama, which contributes to the continuous development of Latin America." In December of that same year, the Central American Tourism Federation gave Copa Airlines the "Turismo Sin Fronteras" (Tourism Without Boundaries) award for their efforts and projects for Central American unity.

From its base at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Copa Airlines operates the Hub of the Americas, one of the most efficient and successful hubs in Latin America. In 2003, the airline expects to transport 1.3 million passengers.