Copa Airlines Named Official Airline of Miss Universe 2003.

Business Editors/Travel Writers

PANAMA CITY, Panama--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 16, 2003

Copa Airlines and the Miss Universe Panama 2003 host committee have signed an agreement making the Panamanian airline the Official Airline of the pageant, which will take place in Panama City on June 3, 2003.

The pageant ceremony, which will occur during Panama's Centennial celebration, will bring representatives from more than 80 countries to Panama. The event will be transmitted live on the NBC television network to an audience of more than 600 million, providing worldwide exposure for Panama as a tourism destination.

The 53rd Miss Universe pageant, being held in Panama for the second time, will attract some 3,000 people to Panama for the organization of various phases of the event. The Official Airline signing ceremony between Copa Airlines and the Miss Universe Panama 2003 host committee included the participation of the current Miss Universe, Panamanian Justine Pasek, as well as representatives of Panama's government.

"We are very pleased to be able to offer the Miss Universe organization the most direct way to get to Panama, thanks to the Hub of the Americas," said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines. "This agreement will allow people from all over the world to learn about Panama and everything our country has to offer to visitors."

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.

Passengers can fly from the U.S. to Panama City on Copa Airlines via daily non-stop service from Los Angeles and Miami, as well as four times weekly from Orlando.

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 2002, the Federation of Central American Tourism Chambers awarded Copa the "Turismo Sin Fronteras" (Tourism without Borders") prize in recognition of its efforts and projects benefiting the Central American region.

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.