On June 27, Copa Airlines launched its nonstop flights between Panama City and Manta. This new service is expected to carry more than 12,000 passengers in its first year of operation.
Flight CM 706 was operated in a Boeing 737 registered as HP-1376CMP, which took off from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) at 15:22 local time and landed at Eloy Alfaro International Airport (MEC) at 16:54, after one hour and 31 minutes.
The opening of this new route has the support of the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works, the Ministry of Tourism, the delegation of the Eloy Alfaro Airport in Manta, the Mayor’s Office of Manta, entities of the sector such as tourism and travel agencies, who have allowed Manta residents and the inhabitants of Manabí to now have connectivity with the entire continent.
In addition to the service to Manta, Copa has five daily flights to Guayaquil and four daily flights to Quito. In total, the Panamanian airline has an offer of 20,360 weekly seats to and from Ecuador according to the Cirium platform.
Copa Airlines flight schedule to Manta
- Panama/Tocumen – Manta Flight CM 706 PTY 15:09 – MEC 17:27 Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
- Manta – Panama/Tocumen Flight CM 707 MEC 18:18 – PTY 20:30 Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
The route is operated by Boeing 737-700 aircraft with 124 seats in two classes (12 Business Class/112 Economy) and promotional fares available from USD 311 round trip.
Copa Airlines is the only airline to offer international flights at Eloy Alfaro Airport. This service gives passengers arriving from Manta the option to connect to more than 75 destinations offered by the company’s «Hub of the Americas» and bring travelers to the Ecuadorian Pacific, strengthening commercial and tourism activity in the region.
During the first quarter of 2023, the Panamanian airline has mobilized around 223,000 passengers to and from Ecuador, with a load factor of over 85%.
See also: Copa Airlines adds a fifth destintation in Venezuela