The Denver International Airport tweeted on Wednesday that it has landed Copa Airlines, which will increase options for travelers flying to Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Services will begin from December 11th. The airlines will provide four direct flights every week to Copa’s hub at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City.
Passengers will reach two to three hours sooner than any other airlines to Panama. The other airlines, travel through Houston, Newark or Dallas to Panama.
Currently, around 30 passengers everyday fly Denver to Panama, said DIA.
Mayor Michael Hancock said that the new flights to Panama will create 244 fresh jobs and $26 million annual economic impact for the state. He said that the new flights have increased both the tourism and business opportunities.
It's official! DEN & @MayorHancock are excited to announce @CopaAirlines will begin nonstop service from Denver to Panama City on Dec. 11! pic.twitter.com/ZdgCoomAvH
— Denver Int'l Airport (@DENAirport) April 19, 2017
After the Norwegian Air International on April 5 announced that it would take gates at Denver International Airport, Copa Airlines is the second international carrier announced at DIA this month.
United Airlines provided direct daily flights from Denver International Airport to Panama City in December 2014. The service was touted as a huge boon for Colorado tourism. After 10 months, the United dropped its service, saying that the flights did not meet expectations.
Chief commercial officer for DIA, Patrick Heck said that there are few differences this time around. The United mainly targeted Americans. But, Copa Airlines is based in Panama, the main point of sale will be Panamanians and Latin Americans, he said.
To make things easy, the airlines can schedule its flights to run more in line with the rest of its other operations, throughout Latin America, which would make easy for people to get to other destinations, he said.
The new flight is only scheduled four times a week compared to the previous daily flights, giving the Copa Airlines an easier place to start, he added.
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