COPA Airlines is continuing to grow it’s fleet and destinations from the hub here in Panama as a reflection of the growth in Latin America and the Caribbean.  It is a well run airlines and continues to be very profitable.

Copa Airlines will be expanding in the coming years with a total investment of $1.3 billion which includes the acquisition of several new aircraft including 10 Boeing 737-800 “Next Generation” in 2012, in order to complete a fleet of 79 craft.

Between 2013 and 2018, the company will acquire another 36 aircraft. The aim is to open new routes and fly to new destinations in the Caribbean, South America and the U.S., reported ACA-EFE and Prensalibre.com.

Copa plans to hire 200 pilots this year and 400 over the next three years. The airline’s training center, which cost $50 million, is on the banks of the Panama Canal.