Copa Airlines Makes OAG's Short List for 2003 Airline of the Year Awards.

Business Editors/Travel Writers/Transportation Writers

PANAMA CITY, Panama--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2003

Copa Airlines has been nominated for OAG's 21st annual "Airline of the Year Awards" for Best Airline Based in Central/South America/Caribbean.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on April 10 at the Park Lane Hilton, London.

"We are extremely pleased that Copa's dedication to customer service has been rewarded with this prestigious nomination," said Jorge Garcia Icaza, commercial vice president, Copa Airlines. "Copa's inclusion on the list is a reflection of the hard work of our very dedicated team who strive constantly to give our customers the best possible travel experience."

Copa is among 52 airlines and airports that received nominations in 19 regional and global categories ranging from Best Low-Cost Carrier to Best International First Class. The awards event publicly recognizes the highest standards within the airline industry and celebrates the best in global air travel.

The awards are based on votes polled from a worldwide audience of business travelers who subscribe to OAG printed flight guides and electronic travel planning tools and support services. Results are collected and independently verified by a market information company.

Copa 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 (www.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.