COPA to Expand Routes this Year..

Copa Airlines has unveiled plans for more rapid network expansion in 2014 with three new destinations to be launched in mid-2014. The carrier plans to expand capacity by 10% in 2014 as eight aircraft are added, representing the ninth consecutive year of double-digit ASK growth.

FLL and GEO are being added while YUL will become Copa’s second Canadian destination after YYZ which Copa launched in mid-2011 with four weekly flightshttp://startsavin-a.akamaihd.net/ite...rrow-10x10.png. Panama forged a new air services agreement with Canada in late 2013 which enables Copa to operate five additional frequencies.

Copa is a member of StarAlliance but does not codeshare with Air Canada, which has not generally been receptive to Copa’s expansion in Canada. Copa currently only codeshares with three Star members – United, Asiana and Avianca – but will likely add more Star partnerships in 2014, including with TAP as the Portuguese carrier is planning to launch services to PTY in mid-2014