On June 30 Copa Airlines began its flights between Panama (PTY) and Barcelona (BLA) with three weekly flights, the fourth destination of the company in Venezuela and the first to be inaugurated in more than 15 years. The first operation carried 110 passengers with an occupancy factor of 88%.
Flight CM 328 was operated by a Boeing 737 with registration number HP-1531CP. The aircraft took off from Tocumen Airport (PTY) at 09:56 local time and landed at General José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport (BLA) at 13:36.
«Air connectivity is fundamental for economic development and social progress in our region, which is why we will continue to grow to new destinations and collaborate with authorities, entrepreneurs and tourism associations to continue promoting commercial and tourism activity between the different cities we serve,» said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines.
Flight Itinerary
- Panama Tocumen – Barcelona (VE) Flight CM 328 PTY 09:42 – BLA 13:23 Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
- Barcelona (VE) – Panama Tocumen Flight CM 329 BLA 15:07 – PTY 16:46 Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
The flights will be operated in Boeing 737-700 NG aircraft with a capacity of 124 seats in two classes (12 Business Class/112 Economy), passengers will have the option to connect through the more than 70 destinations offered by the company through the «Hub of the Americas».
See also: «Expectations for Barcelona are high»: Roberto Pulido, General Manager, Copa Airlines – Venezuela
«We are optimistic and very happy to be here. It is an important flight, for any number of connections in both destinations,» said Marcos Ocando, Senior Director of Marketing for Copa Airlines.
With this new connection to Panama (PTY), Jose Antonio Anzoategui Airport (BLA) receives a second international connection, offering passengers from the east and southeast of Venezuela to make connections abroad without having to make a stopover in Caracas (CCS) or travel to other cities.
«The opening of operations in this new destination is a sign of Copa Airlines’ commitment to continue expanding the offer of frequencies and destinations in the Americas and the Caribbean and to better connect the regions of the countries where we operate, as is the case of Venezuela,» said Roberto Pulido, General Manager of Copa Airlines in Venezuela.
With this new service, Copa Airlines will be the only international operator in Barcelona (BLA) and a new option to connect with many tourist, economic and industrial destinations in the eastern region of the country for the convenience of Venezuelan and foreign passengers, thus strengthening the development and progress between both nations.
«Today we are honored with your presence and even more so with this important fact for the economic, touristic, social development of our state with this flight from Panama. Thank you very much on behalf of Venezuelans and Anzoatiguenses for the effort being made to promote this route,» said Luis Marcano, Governor of the State of Anzoátegui.
Copa Airlines Schedule in Venezuela
According to data obtained by Aviacionline through Cirium, Copa will have an offer of 10,224 seats per week between Panama and Venezuela, the airline is currently the largest international operator in the South American country, the schedule is as follows:
- Caracas (CCS) three daily flights on Boeing 737-800.
- Valencia (VLN) five times a week in Boeing 737-800.
- Maracaibo (MAR) four times a week on Boeing 737-800.
- Barcelona (BLA) three times a week on Boeing 737-700.
