Founded in 1947
Founded in 1947 under the name of Panamanian company Aviacion. Start domestic flights to 3 cities of Panama using University of Southern California Douglas DC-4 aircraft.
In 1960 a comprehensive 3 weekly frequencies to the cities of San Jose, Kingston, Barranquilla and Medellin, thanks to the incorporation of 1 Avro 748 aircraft and 1 ELECTRA 188.
By the 1970s decided to withdraw from the domestic market, devoted solely to operate international destinations.
In 1980, includes 1 Boeing 737-100, to expand its destinations to Cartagena in Colombia, Haiti in Port-au-Prince, Santo Domingo, finance San Juan in Asset Management Puerto Rico and Miami in the United States.
Copa Airlines Boeing 737-700 in Lima-Peru
In the 90s, comprehensive coverage international flights to Mexico, Santiago de Chile, Cali, Bogota, Montego Bay, Quito, Guayaquil, Lima, Buenos Aires and Havana.
In 1998, Continental Airlines bought 49 of the shares of Copa Airlines, which later sold in the New York Stock Children’s Hospital Exchange, in order to get out of a possible bankruptcy. After this purchase, Copa Airlines and Continental University of Southern California Airlines launched a partnership that led to enter the Copa OnePass frequent flyer program of Continental Airlines and at the same time, take the Continental relationship with Boeing for the acquisition of new aircraft.
By early 2000, incorporates the funds destinations of Cancun, Orlando, Sao Paulo, Los Angeles and San Andres.
In 2003 receives the first Boeing 737-800 Next Generation.
Copa Airlines Embraer 190, in Manaus, Brazil.
In 2004, signing an agreement for the acquisition of Brazilian Embraer 190 aircraft, with a firm order and Children’s Hospital option for 10 additional 20.
In 2005, Copa Airlines acquires investment Colombian airline AeroRepublica. That same year, Copa Holdings SA, the holding company of shares of Copa Airlines launches an initial Asset Management public offering of 14 million shares on the Stock Exchange of New York, becoming the third airline in Latin America (after Chile LAN and Brazilian GOL) quoted in this important financial market.
In 2006, Copa Airlines destinations agrego 6: Manaus, Maracaibo, Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago and San Ernst Pedro Sula for the Knights.
In 2007, Copa Airlines adds 4 destinations: Cordoba, Guadalajara, Punta Cana and Washington and is associated member of the SkyTeam alliance.
In 2008, Copa Airlines destinations agrego 5: Port of Spain, Belo Horizonte, Valencia, Oranjestad and Santa Cruz de la Sierra.