Copa Airlines, the flag carrier of Panama, has announced plans to launch new routes to North America in the coming months. The airline will introduce service to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in the US and Felipe Carrillo Puerto Airport (TQO) in Tulum, Mexico.
Starting in late June, Copa will operate four weekly flights between Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama and RDU using its Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This will be Copa’s 16th destination in the US. The new service to RDU is part of the airline’s larger goal to grow capacity by 10% to 12% each year.
In addition to RDU, Copa will also add two more cities to its route network. It will join other airlines in serving the brand-new Felipe Carrillo Puerto Airport in Tulum, Mexico, which will open to international airlines next month. This will provide travelers with easier access to the popular beach destination. Copa will also add service to Florianopolis, Brazil.
Copa’s expansion into RDU is significant for the airport, which has been gaining international routes and increasing its passenger numbers. Last month, Frontier Airlines launched several new routes to RDU, and the airport has become a crew base for low-cost carrier Avelo. Aeromexico and Lufthansa are also planning to start nonstop service from RDU to Mexico City and Frankfurt, respectively. The airport has seen a 75% increase in seats to international destinations compared to five years ago.
Copa’s decision to add RDU to its route map reflects the growing demand for travel between the US and Latin America. The airline has seen an increase in US leisure travelers using its services to connect to other destinations in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Copa aims to develop a following among US travelers while continuing to serve its core customer base in Latin America.
Overall, Copa Airlines’ expansion into RDU and other new destinations demonstrates the airline’s commitment to growth and its ability to adapt to changing travel trends. With the addition of these routes, travelers will have more options to explore popular destinations in North and South America.