Panama Stopover reaches record with 95,000 passengers and 18.5% growth in the first half of 2025
The program projects to exceed 185,000 visitors by the end of the year and has already reached more than 640,000 tourists since its launch in 2019
Buenos Aires, August 26, 2025 – Copa Airlines (NYSE: CPA), a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, SA and a member of the global Star Alliance network, presented the results of the Panama Stopover program, developed in conjunction with the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) and PROMTUR Panama, corresponding to the first half of 2025.
At the end of June, the airline recorded nearly 95,000 stopover passengers, representing an 18.5% increase compared to the same period last year. This initiative allows passengers transiting through Panama to take advantage of their stopover to explore the country at no additional cost to their airfare.
“The connectivity provided by the Hub of the Americas® is a strategic advantage for Panama, boosting tourism, stimulating the economy, and creating thousands of jobs. At Copa Airlines, we work hand in hand with the industry to position the country as an attractive and accessible destination for international travelers. The results obtained in this first half of the year reflect the efforts of a team that proudly carries our Panamanian flag to the highest skies of the continent,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines.
The average passenger stay was three days, with the Panama Canal as the main attraction, followed by local cuisine, shopping, and cultural diversity.
The second half of the year began with record numbers: 17,500 passengers took advantage of the Stopover program in July, the best month since the program's launch in 2019. This result reflects travelers' growing interest in discovering what Panama has to offer.
With the support of more than 80 tourism industry partners and a revamped digital platform, Panama Stopover projects to exceed 185,000 visitors by 2025. Since its inception, the initiative has brought more than 640,000 tourists to the country, consolidating its position as a strategic tool for the development of Panamanian tourism.
The program allows passengers flying with Copa Airlines and transiting through the Hub of the Americas® in Panama to enjoy two destinations for the price of one, extending their stay at no additional cost and exploring the country's many attractions.