Copa Airlines Named “Most Punctual Airline in Latin America” for the Ninth Time

Copa Airlines has been named “The Most Punctual Airline in Latin America” for the ninth year by Cirium in 2023.

During a ceremony held at the Copa Airlines Maintenance Center in Panama City, the airline was recognized for achieving the highest punctuality rate on the continent, with an 89.5 percent on-time arrival rate.

Copa’s rate is significantly higher than other airlines in the region. Cirium conducts an extensive evaluation of airline performance that examines factors such as the number of seats and flights and seat availability per kilometer and categorizes airlines as “global” or “regional.”

Photo: Courtesy of Copa Airlines

The ranking system is based on data gathered from over 600 reliable sources of real-time flight information, including airlines, airports, global distribution systems, position data, and civil aviation authorities.

Additionally, the airline achieved a schedule completion factor index of 99.84 percent, indicating the highest in the Americas and the second and third highest in the world, respectively.

In 2024, Copa has continued to improve its on-time arrival rate, achieving a rate of 89.4 percent in January and 91.6 percent in February, even during the busiest travel months.

During the ceremony, Copa recognized 20 key employees from different departments who played a significant role in maintaining the airline’s leadership in punctuality.

Photo: Courtesy of Copa Airlines

Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines, emphasized that this achievement was possible thanks to the teamwork, commitment, effort, and dedication of Copa Airlines’ talented team in Panama and in all the countries where they operate.

“Congratulations to Copa Airlines not only for its exceptional punctuality in 2023, but also for its consistency in being the most punctual Latin American airline not only in 2023, but in nine out of the last ten years,” said Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium. “Their consistency is a testament to their commitment to operational excellence.”

During my recent visit to Copa’s pilot training center to attend the Cirium recognition ceremony, I was impressed by the airline’s consistency in aircraft, training, and teamwork. The training center boasts up to ten simulators of different levels, including the latest Boeing 737 MAX 9 and the 737-800, which is a testament to the airline’s commitment to excellence.

Copa has continued its streak of on-time performance this year while expanding its regional reach. The airline recently announced opening three new routes to Raleigh-Durham, Florianopolis, and Tulum.

On June 21, Copa will launch nonstop flights to Raleigh-Durham, which will become its 16th gateway in the U.S. This expansion will increase its network to 85 destinations across 32 countries, including North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean.

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