In a year of high operational performance in the Latin American region, Copa Airlines has once again soared to the top with an impressive on-time performance rate of 88.22% for 2024.  Copa Airlines can now boast of a decade of continuous leadership and excellence in On-Time Performance in the region.

Through the airline industry, Panama connects Central and South America, and the entire world to its vibrant tourism industry and finance sector.

Home to seven indigenous communities, the Panama Canal and some of the tallest skyscrapers in Latin America, Panama is also home to Copa Airlines. With its rich cultural heritage, vibrant natural epicenter and wildlife, Panama also boasts as the most studied tropical forest on the planet and home to UNESCO Creative City in Gastronomy.  Through its vast Regional Financial Center, with the Canal playing a fundamental role, Panama’s contribution to the Latin American economy is vital.  Despite some challenges this year, Panama’s GDP is projected to outpace five of the six largest economies in Latin America in 2025 at 3.5%.

Copa Airlines, the flagship carrier of Panama operates almost 90% of its network to international destinations in 32 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean from its Panama City hub. 

A Decade of Excellence in On-Time Performance

2024 can be marked as the year of operational excellence for Latin American airlines and airports.  The region’s airlines and airports were among the top-ranking performers in the global airlines and airports categories throughout the year.  Copa Airlines consistently maintained high on-time performance scores and secured the position as regional leader, half of the year.

In February, Copa had one of the top three OTP scores globally – a remarkable score of 91.66%.

With an OTP of 90.24% in May, Copa once again had one of the top five scores globally.

In a year of high operational performance in the Latin American region, Copa Airlines has once again soared to the top with 88.22% of its 125,445 flights arriving on time and a 98.73% completion rate. 

This year also marks a milestone for Copa Airlines. 

The Airline is recognized for the tenth year in 2024 as Cirium’s On-Time Performance regional leader in Latin America. 

Copa has been recognized by Cirium as the regional leader since 2013, except 2020 and 2022 – Cirium paused the Annual Review publication during Covid and Azul Airlines in Brazil was bestowed this title in 2022. 

Culture of Teamwork, Collaboration and Continuous Improvement. 

Copa Airlines has created a culture based on teamwork and focused on continuous improvement. Employees have individual objectives that are aligned with the corporate goals of the company. These objectives serve as a basis for measuring employee performance. The goal-oriented culture and incentive programs have contributed to a motivated workforce within Copa. Employees are focused on satisfying customers, achieving efficiencies, and driving profitability.

The airline’s success can be attributed to one key factor, its “Hub of the Americas” location.  Under the leadership of Pedro Heilbron, one of the longest serving CEOs in the industry, Copa has established the most successful and strategically located hub in Latin America.  With its partnership and collaboration with Tocumen International Airport (PTY), Copa provides convenient connections to principal markets in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, enabling consolidation of traffic to serve destinations that do not generate enough demand to justify point-to-point service. Flights from Panama operate with few service disruptions due to weather, contributing to high completion factors and on-time performance. This recognition is a testament to the airline’s decade long commitment to reliability, operational excellence and customer service.

Congratulations Copa Airlines!