Tampa service to Panama resumes on Copa Airlines
Tampa Bay’s connection to Latin America is back.
On Jan. 8, Copa Airlines resumed nonstop service to Panama City, Panama, giving TPA passengers access to 21 destinations in 12 countries across Central and South America. The flights to Panama-Tocumen International Airport (PTY) will operate twice weekly, on Mondays and Fridays.
“The opportunity of connecting Tampa again through our Hub of the Americas gives us a lot of optimism. These flights will allow Copa Airlines to serve thousands of passengers who wish to return to their homes, reunite with their families, visit their favorite vacation destinations, address health issues, attend important meetings, family, or professional matters," said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines. "We are committed to the economic and tourism development of the countries we operate, and we will continue to focus on gradually reestablishing the vital connectivity we offered before the pandemic.”
The last flight between Tampa and the Panamanian capital departed on March 22, 2020, just before pandemic-related restrictions halted international travel.
Copa Airlines first launched its Panama service from TPA in December 2013, and its success in the Tampa market led the airline to expand to daily service by 2018. Since then, hundreds of thousands of passengers have flown the route, which serves as a connector for major cities in Latin America.
From Panama City, Copa will connect travelers to numerous cities in Latin America, including:
Argentina: Buenos Aires
Bolivia: Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Brazil: Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo
Chile, Santiago
Colombia: Bogota, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cartagena Cali, and Medellin
Costa Rica: San Jose
Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo
Ecuador: Guayaquil and Quito
Peru: Lima
Republic of Guatemala: Guatemala City
Uruguay: Montevideo.
“We are extremely proud of the relationship we’ve built with Copa Airlines over the years and are delighted about their return to TPA,” said Chris Minner, Tampa International Airport’s Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “Our airport, travelers and community are grateful for this important link to Latin America and the vote of confidence it represents for our region.”
Health requirements, such as a negative COVID-19 test, are still mandatory for passengers traveling to most Panamanian destinations.
All passengers must comply with the immigration and health requirements determined by the airline, and the Panamanian and destination's authorities.
To learn more about these measures and additional information or to book your flight, visit copa.com.