Copa Airlines will create more than 400 new jobs in Panama and plans to continue boosting tourism and the country´s economy in 2026

Copa Airlines, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, SA and a member of the Star Alliance global airline network, announced
its projections for 2026, in a context where air connectivity continues to gain importance as a key factor for countries' competitiveness. In this scenario, the airline continues to expand its operations through the Hub of the Americas®, connecting 88 destinations in 32 countries across the continent and generating
opportunities for the development of tourism and the national economy.

“To support the growth we are projecting, we remain focused on strengthening the pillars that underpin our operation: a solid route network, a modern fleet, and the development of the talent required for an expanding operation. In an environment where competition for connectivity is increasingly fierce, maintaining this
capacity is fundamental for Panama. This approach allows us not only to grow as an airline, but also to generate employment, attract more visitors, and sustainably expand our contribution to the country's economy,” stated Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines.

A more robust network for the region.
By 2026, Copa estimates it will operate 420 daily flights through the Hub of the Americas®, reinforcing Panama's position as a strategic connectivity point in the region, efficient and competitive.

Over the past 18 months, the airline has strengthened its network by adding new destinations such as San Diego, Tucumán, Puerto Plata, Los Cabos, Florianópolis, and Raleigh-Durham, as well as reactivating routes to Salvador de Bahia, Salta, and Santiago de los Caballeros. Additionally, it resumed operations to key cities in Venezuela, including Caracas, Barquisimeto, Valencia, and Maracaibo, further expanding connectivity options in the region.

To support this operation, Copa Airlines expects to have a fleet of 121 aircraft by the end of 2026 and has an outstanding order for 43 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, according to its projections through 2029. In line with its long-term growth strategy, the airline announced that news regarding its next Boeing aircraft order will be released soon to further its expansion in the region. The gradual addition of these aircraft will allow for increased seat capacity, stronger flight frequencies, and continued expansion of connectivity from Panama.

The expansion of this fleet will also support the growth of the operation in the coming years. By 2026, the airline estimates it will carry 20.9 million passengers, further strengthening the role of the Hub of the Americas® as a connecting center for the continent.

Training and Employability for the Future:
As part of its projections for 2026, Copa Airlines estimates it will create approximately 400 new direct jobs in Panama. In addition to the natural turnover of its operations, the airline plans to hire more than 1,000 people in areas such as operations staff, cabin crew, pilots, aircraft mechanics, and administrative roles. Over the next four years, projected growth will allow the creation of more than 2,100 direct jobs in the country.

This growth will continue to be supported by the development of local talent through Copa Airlines' training academies, which have become established as a pathway to professional opportunities within the aviation industry. In 2026, ALAS, its Pilot Academy, projects graduating approximately 65 Panamanian pilots, while the Aeronautical Technician Academy (ATA) anticipates training 50 aeronautical technicians, and the Cabin Crew Academy estimates graduating 415 new professionals by the end of that same year.

This model addresses the airline's growth needs and strengthens the employability of young Panamanians in key areas. In the case of ALAS, the program maintains a significantly lower cost than the industry average and recently incorporated a competition for full and partial scholarships. Meanwhile, ATA and
the Cabin Crew Academy offer free training for students.

The airline will also hold job fairs throughout the country during the year, with the aim of bringing these opportunities closer to more Panamanians and strengthening access to local talent.

A key component of this approach is the partnerships with the Don Bosco Technical Institute and the Specialized Higher Technical Institute (ITSE), which expand the academic offering through programs in aircraft maintenance and contribute to the training of highly skilled talent in Panama.

Panama Stopover as a Tourism Engine
. In tourism, the Panama Stopover program will continue to be a key tool for converting connectivity into visitors and economic activity for the country. After reaching 215,000 tourists in 2025, a 25% increase over the previous year, the program projects reaching 250,000 visitors in 2026, strengthening the arrival of travelers and the dynamism of sectors linked to tourism.

New this year, Panama Stopover will extend from 7 to 15 days the period that passengers can stay in the country at no additional cost to the airfare, opening up more possibilities to explore more destinations and experiences within Panama.

In this context, destinations like David, Chiriquí, continue to gain relevance. Currently, approximately 25% of passengers arriving in this destination connect through the Hub of the Americas®. With three daily flights and up to four on weekends, the airline increases its seating capacity by approximately 40%, facilitating the arrival of more visitors and expanding the impact of tourism beyond the capital.

Customer Experience and Onboard Connectivity:
Copa Airlines continues to incorporate improvements to enhance the passenger experience and announces the integration of Starlink as its Wi-Fi connectivity provider on board its fleet. Becoming the first airline in Latin America to implement this technology, the company will offer high-speed, low-latency internet access thanks to Starlink's advanced low-Earth orbit satellite network.

This innovation will enable a superior in-flight connectivity experience, facilitating activities such as streaming, online gaming, cloud-based work, and real-time navigation. The rollout of this service is expected to begin in July 2026.

Greater Contribution to the National Economy:
Copa Airlines' contribution to the national economy also maintains a growth trend. In 2026, the airline's activity is estimated to contribute approximately US$1.4 billion through payments to the tax authorities, government institutions, payroll, and local suppliers. This is in addition to the broader impact of air transport and air tourism, which, according to a study by Oxford Economics and IATA, support 194,000 jobs and contribute more than US$6.8 billion to the economy, equivalent to 8% of GDP.

With these projections for 2026, Copa Airlines continues to consolidate an operation that, in addition to connecting Panama with the continent, contributes to national economic and tourism development.

Source: Copa Airlines.