Copa Airlines will connect directly to the cities of Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit

Copa Airlines, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, SA, and a member of the global airline network Star Alliance, announces that, starting on December 16, 2018, with two weekly flights, it will begin direct operations between Panama City and the Licenciado International Airport Gustavo Díaz Ordaz who serves the cities of Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit, thus adding his fifth destination in Mexico.

This will allow travelers better connectivity to 78 destinations in 32 countries in North, Central, South America and the Caribbean, through the Hub of the Americas in Panama City. On the other hand, Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit, will increase its tourist and commercial potential thanks to the possibility of connection with Copa Airlines' wide network of destinations.

Mauro Arredondo, General Manager of Copa Airlines in Mexico, commented, "For Copa Airlines, Mexico is an important market to continue developing and providing world-class service, connectivity and punctuality, and with the Panama route - Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit, It will strengthen the development of the tourism sector, as well as commercial and investment opportunities in this important region of southeastern Mexico. " He also added, "With this new route, the Hub of the Americas at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama, continues to consolidate as the most efficient and best connected air hub in the Americas."

Javier Aranda, general director of Tourism Trust Puerto Vallarta said "After several years of promotional work in Central and South America by Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit to generate greater knowledge of the region, we are very happy to announce this new direct flight from Panama to the Airport of Puerto Vallarta, with a commercial partner of recognized prestige like Copa Airlines, since this air operation will allow travelers from the south of the continent and the Andean Region and other countries of the region that are increasingly important for the tourist activity of our country, can, through a single easy and friendly connection, know this wonder of Mexico "

The Copa Airlines flight will start with two weekly flights on Thursday and Sunday, departing from Panama City at 09:05 a.m. and arriving at the Vallarta-Nayarit Airport at 1:25 p.m. (local time). The return flight will leave the same days from Puerto Vallarta at 03:40 p.m., arriving in Panama City at 8:00 p.m. (local time). The route will be operated with a Boeing 737-700 with capacity for 12 passengers in business class and 112 in the main cabin.

Marc Murphy, General Director of the Tourism Authority of Riviera Nayarit commented "I am pleased to note that after 5 years of hard work through multiple advertising and promotion campaigns in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Peru, as well as various negotiations with Copa Airlines, the new route Panama-Puerto Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit is now a reality. With this new flight multiple connections will be avoided, reducing times, distances and costs for Latin American tourists, while ensuring greater interest of the South American wholesale agencies in the destination. "

Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit are five destinations that Copa Airlines operates in Mexico: it offers 5 daily flights between Panama and Mexico City, 7 daily flights to Cancun, to Guadalajara a daily flight and 4 weekly flights to Monterrey. This broad coverage allows Copa Airlines to consolidate its position as one of the leading airlines in connectivity to the Mexican Republic.