Copa Airlines Announces New Non-Stop Flights Between Quito and Panama; Connections to the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

Business Editors & Travel Writers

QUITO, Ecuador--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 2001

Copa Airlines has announced it will initiate new non-stop service between Quito and Panama as of May 15, 2001.

The airline also confirmed it would continue to operate its daily flight from Guayaquil to Panama.

With this new flight, passengers will be able to fly non-stop and make immediate connections through the "Hub of the Americas" in Panama City.

"This new flight reinforces our policy of satisfying our customers' demand for more direct flights," said Jorge Garcia Icaza, Commercial Vice President, Copa Airlines. "These decisions correspond to the constant growth of Copa Airlines, and the strategic addition of more direct flights between Panama and Latin America," Garcia Icaza added.

Copa Airlines will fly the route with one of its new Boeing 737-700 Next Generation aircraft equipped with 12 Clase Ejecutiva (Business Class) and 112 coach seats.

The 90 minute flight will depart Quito at 7:45 a.m. and will arrive in Panama at 9:30 a.m. The return flight from Panama will depart at 7:40 p.m. and arrive in Quito at 9:25 p.m.

Copa Airlines has provided service to Ecuador for more than six years. With the addition of the new flight, Copa now operates two direct flights to Ecuador, one to Guayaquil, another to Quito, departing from Panama City.

Copa's strategic alliance with Continental Airlines in 1999 gave birth to a new corporate image for Copa Airlines. Such collaboration has positioned Copa as one of the most successful airlines in the industry.

As a result of this alliance both airlines have a code-share agreement. Copa Airlines is part of OnePass, Continental's award-winning frequent flyer program.

OnePass offers a combination of outstanding service and top rewards. Members enjoy benefits from Continental Airlines and Copa Airlines, as well as a variety of affiliated businesses, making it possible to earn and redeem mileage points for travel to more than 500 destinations worldwide.

Last year, Copa Airlines began operating direct flights from Panama to Orlando, Fla.; Cancun, Mexico; Los Angeles, Calif.; and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Copa and its strategic partners are focusing efforts on improving technical and operational records. Copa now boasts an on-time performance rate of 88.5 percent on all flights, and has now become one of the world's best airlines.

Copa Airlines (www.copaair.com) serves 31 destinations in 20 countries in North, Central, and South America as well as the Caribbean. From its "Hub of the Americas" at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Copa Airlines operates one of the most successful and efficient hubs in Latin America. This year Copa Airlines expects to transport more than 1.2 million passengers.