Copa Airlines’ growth continues in 2025 with new routes, expanded fleet

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – Copa Airlines, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S.A. and a member of the Star Alliance global airline network, announced its growth and investment plans for 2025, aimed at expanding the impact of air connectivity offered by the Hub of the Americas, located at Tocumen International Airport on Panama’s economy and tourism sector.

“The connectivity provided by the Hub of the Americas represents a competitive advantage for Panama, creating a positive and lasting impact on the country. Copa Airlines’ network of destinations not only connects passengers across the continent but also opens the door for more tourists to experience the wonders of our country, generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs and driving significant economic benefits. A better-connected country creates more opportunities for its people, which is why we remain committed to investing in new aircraft to expand routes, increasing frequencies, and contributing to Panama’s national development,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines.

Hub of the Americas as the most efficient way to connect to Latin America and the Caribbean

By September 2025, the Hub of the Americas will connect Panama with 88 destinations in 32 countries across the Americas, through more than 375 daily flights. During the first half of the year, Copa Airlines will begin operations in San Diego, California, becoming the airline’s 17th destination in the United States. Starting in September, the airline will add Tucumán and Salta to its network, further expanding its presence in northwestern Argentina and operating a total of six destinations in the country.

“Each new destination we add to our network represents an opportunity to introduce Panama’s attractions to more people across the continent, through our Panama Stopover program,” said Heilbron.

With the addition of new destinations and the continued strengthening of its route network, Copa Airlines expects to close 2025 transporting over 18.5 million passengers, representing an 8% growth compared to 2024, when the airline transported 17.5 million passengers.

This growth in destinations and flight frequencies is supported by an annual investment of $1.7 billion (list price), allocated to the progressive expansion of Copa Airlines’ Boeing 737MAX fleet. By the end of 2024, the airlines’ fleet totaled 102 aircraft, a number expected to grow to 114 by the end of 2025. Currently, Copa Airlines has 57 Boeing 737MAX aircraft on order, scheduled for delivery over the next five years.

Expanded options for the American Tourist

Copa Airlines presented the results of the Panama Stopover program, developed in partnership with the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) and PROMTUR Panama. By the end of 2024, more than 160,000 tourists had taken advantage of the initiative, which allows passengers to make a stop in Panama at no additional cost in airfare. This represents a 25% increase compared to 2023, accounting for 8% of the country’s total visitors.

Driven by the campaign “Panama has it all, and it’s close by”, the program continues to gain momentum, with a 24% increase in bookings during the early months of 2025. With the contribution of over 80 tourism sector partners, including hotels, restaurants and attraction, the program now offers incentives and discounts in various establishments and together with a revamped digital platform passengers can curate a memorable travel experience, Panama Stopover is projected to reach 185,000 visitors by the end of this year.

The article Copa Airlines’ growth continues in 2025 with new routes, expanded fleet first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.