Copa Airlines announced today that after a nearly ten-month hiatus due to travel restrictions in the region relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, the carrier is resuming operations from Tampa International Airport (TPA) and Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama, the Hub of the Americas.
Starting Friday, January 8, 2021, Copa will initially operate up to two weekly flights between Tampa and Panama City. From Tampa, flight CM394 will depart at 1:45 PM and arrive in Panama at 5:12 PM (local time). Returning, flight CM 393 will depart Panama at 08:00 AM, arriving in Tampa at 11:23 AM (local time). Copa will operate this flight with a Boeing 737-800 Next-Generation aircraft, which can accommodate 160 passengers, 16 in business class and 144 in the main cabin.
“The opportunity of connecting Tampa again through our Hub of the Americas gives us a lot of optimism. These flights will allow Copa Airlines to serve thousands of passengers who wish to return to their homes, reunite with their families, visit their favorite vacation destinations, address health issues, attend important meetings, family, or professional matters,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines. “We are committed to the economic and tourism development of the countries we operate in, and we will continue to focus on gradually reestablishing the vital connectivity we offered before the pandemic.”
The Tampa to Panama nonstop flight will offer connections to several destinations Copa currently serves in the Americas. From Panama, Copa will connect travelers to Argentina: Buenos Aires; Bolivia: Santa Cruz de la Sierra; Brazil: Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo; Chile, Santiago; Colombia: Bogota, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cartagena Cali, and Medellin; Costa Rica: San Jose; Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo; Ecuador: Guayaquil and Quito; Peru: Lima; Republic of Guatemala: Guatemala City; and Uruguay: Montevideo.
Copa Airlines launched its inaugural nonstop service to Panama from TPA in December of 2013.
“We are extremely proud of the relationship we’ve built with Copa Airlines over the years and are delighted about their return to TPA,” said Chris Minner, Tampa International Airport’s Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “Our airport, travelers and community are grateful for this important link to Latin America and the vote of confidence it represents for our region.”
Copa’s main priority is the safety and well-being of passengers and employees. As a result, the airline has implemented and continues to reinforce all sanitary, hygiene, and biosafety measures to offer passengers a safe environment at every stage of their trip. These measures have been successfully developed by a board of medical specialists in biosafety measures, following the national and international health authorities’ recommendations.
All of Copa’s aircraft are equipped with high-efficiency (HEPA) filters that remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles, including viruses and bacteria, similar to hospitals operating rooms. In addition, the cabin air recirculation system renews the airflow every two to three minutes, and the air is supplied vertically, which prevents it from being shared among passengers. This, combined with the use of mandatory face masks at all times, results in a highly hygienic and safe environment.
All passengers must comply with the immigration and health requirements determined by the airline, and the Panamanian and destination’s authorities. To learn more about these measures and additional information, visit copa.com or the airline’s official social media platforms.
For available tickets and purchase options, visit copa.com or contact a preferred travel agency. Passengers with Copa Airlines valid tickets will be able to modify their flight dates without penalty charges. Flights are subject to restrictions, government approvals, and changes. Some countries remain with entry restrictions and only allow nationals and residents.
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