News

Fast-growing Copa Airlines launched its direct service to Belize on Dec. 8, adding yet another country with non-stop Copa flights from Panama City.

Flights are available between Belize City and Tocumen International Airport on Tuesdays and Fridays, with flights leaving Panama City at 11:39 a.m. and returning at 2:17 p.m. While Belize is a relatively small destination, it completes Copa’s bid to serve all the countries in the Caribbean and it’s network of connecting flights running through Panama City.

The availability of flights is always cited as a key part of the buying decision for second home buyers, making any news of additional service big news to Panama City’s real estate market.

Copa announced the flights in August, as part of an aggressive international expansion. Copa now offers flights to 75 cities and 31 countries, which has helped turn Panama City into a true “Hub de las Americas.” Copa has a unique program that allows traveler to stop over in Panama for two days without extra charge. Find out more here.)

“The connectivity will open enormous opportunities for tourism and commercial development for this interesting Caribbean country, as well as allowing for tourists from the same region to have the opportunity to enjoy all the tourism and commercial strengths Belize has to offer,” Copa Airlines executive president Pedro Heilbron said.

Belize sees the Panama City routes as a way to connect with markets in South America.

“Though our strongest market remains North America, we see the need to expand our reach southward, as a part of the long term strategy towards diversification, as charted in our National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan,” Belize tourism minister Manuel Heredia Jr. said in a statement.

Copa is using modern Embraer 190 aircraft on the Belize route. The Embraer has a capacity for 94 passengers and features two seats in each side of the isle, which is popular feature for passengers.