Copa Airlines chief optimistic on Emirates flying to Panama


News from Panama / Tuesday, April 16th, 2019

The chief executive officer of Copa Airlines in Panama expressed optimism that Emirates would operate a direct flight to Panama City to boost aviation sector in the region.

“We are still hoping for that flight to happen to Panama,” said Pedro Heilbron, referring to plans of Emirates airline to operate a direct flight to Panama, which was shelved later.

“Copa Airlines offers the best connectivity of any other airport or city in Latin America. More flights to more cities and more daily frequencies throughout Latin America are served out of Panama than any other hub.”

“It makes a perfect combination with a Dubai hub where we could be connecting all over the Middle East, India and other important cities with Central America, the Andean and Caribbean with the help of Copa Airlines in Panama.”

He also said Copa Airlines has a code-share agreement with Emirates and it is “only a matter of time” before the airline starts flying to Panama. “Hopefully one day it would happen and we are willing to work with Emirates to make it a success.”

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of Global Business Forum Latin America in Panama City that ended on Wednesday. The airline grounded Boeing 737 Max planes following a fatal accident of the same plane in Ethiopia last month that killed 157 people. “We have six planes that are grounded and are waiting for the planes to be recertified.”

A number of airlines across the world have stopped operations of Boeing 737 Max planes following the incident including Dubai based Flydubai which had eleven Max planes flying.

Meanwhile, the third edition of the Global Business Forum (GBF) on Latin America concluded on Wednesday in Panama City with a call from government and business leaders to capitalise on new trade and investment opportunities that are emerging in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) and GCC regions.

A total of 800 delegates from 50 countries attended GBF Latin America — Panama 2019, including heads of state, ministers, top government officials, policymakers and business leaders.

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