My wife just took the COPA flight from David to Tocumen and connected seamlessly with her flight to Miami.  Departed David at 9:30 AM and arrived in Miami at 3:30 PM.  COPA continues its expansion to new Cites this time direct to New Orleans.

Copa Airlines on Thursday announced it will begin nonstop service four times a week on June 24. From Panama, the company says travelers can make connections to 55 other Central and South American destinations through the airline’s Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City.

Pedro Heilbron, the Copa Airlines’ CEO, says there were commercial ties between New Orleans and Panama and that the airlines would serve “a growing Hispanic and Latin American population” in New Orleans.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu called the new international flight a way “to open the gateway to the Americas.” He said it would benefit business travelers and tourists and foster ties between New Orleans and Latin America.