Panamanian carrier Copa Airlines has ordered 40 737 MAX aircraft. Under the agreement, Copa Airlines also holds options to acquire up to 20 additional aircraft from the single-aisle family.
Copa Airlines Chief Executive Pedro Heilbron and Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope were joined by Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino, US Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera and other government representatives at a signing ceremony in Panama to formalise the previously undisclosed order. Copa Airlines plans to expand its fleet by more than 100 737 MAX aircraft, combining this agreement with its existing order book. The airline will utilise the efficiency, range and capacity of its expanded 737 MAX fleet to modernise and grow its network from the Hub of the Americas®, serving key destinations across the Americas and the Caribbean.
“For Copa Airlines, signing this agreement marks an important step in further strengthening the operation and connectivity we provide from Panama,” said Heilbron. “Through the Hub of the Americas®, we have built a connecting hub that enables us to meet market demand with a safe, efficient and reliable operation. The addition of new aircraft will be essential to continuing the expansion of our operations and route network, while supporting economic development in Panama and the wider region, generating new jobs and growth in the tourism sector.”
Heilbron added that the airline benefits from operational commonality across its fleet of more than 110 737 aircraft, including the Next-Generation 737, 737 MAX and 737 Boeing Converted Freighters.
The versatility and reliability of the Boeing 737-9 and 737-8 enable Copa Airlines to operate high-density short-haul flights as well as some of the world’s longest 737 MAX routes, connecting Panama with North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.
