Copa Airlines and Turkish Airlines Begin Codeshare Flights Between Europe and Latin America

ISTANBUL, May 3, 2017 /CNW/ -

With this codeshare agreement, passengers from several destinations in Latin America and Europe will enjoy seamless connections through the carriers' ideally located hubs in Panama (Americas), and in Turkey, the bridge country that connects the East and the West.  

Copa Airlines, subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S.A., and Turkish Airlines, both members of Star Alliance, the leading global airline network, signed a Codeshare Agreement which will offer passengers more flight options with seamless connections through Copa's Hub of the Americas, in Panama City, and Turkish's seamless gateway to Europe through the company's Hub, in Istanbul, Turkey.

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The strategic Hub of the Americas of Copa Airlines, in Panama City, will allow passengers coming from Istanbul fast and efficiently connect to 74 destinations in America and the Caribbean, including the most important cities of the region. Also with this codeshare agreement, the Latin American passengers traveling with Turkish Airlines through its uniquely positioned hub, Istanbul, that bridges the East and the West, will have more entry options to Europe also Africa, Asia/ Far East and Middle East.

Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines said: "This agreement between Copa Airlines and Turkish Airlines has great importance since it contributes to strengthen the connectivity between Latin America with Istanbul and the rest of Europe. Passengers from both hemispheres will benefit from world-class services and seamless connections through the hubs of the codeshare partners." 

Initially, Turkish will place its code on Copa flights between Panama City and David in Panama; Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, Manaus, Belo Horizonte and Sao Paulo in Brazil; Santo Domingo and Punta Cana in Dominican Republic; Guayaquil and Quito in Ecuador; San Salvador in El Salvador; Asuncion in Paraguay; Lima in Peru. On the other hand, Copa will place its code on Turkish operated flights between Panama and Istanbul. Progressively, as government approvals are granted, Turkish will also place its code on Copa flights to Cancun, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; Managua in Nicaragua; San Jose in Costa Rica and Montevideo in Uruguay in order to expand the range of these codeshare flights into the region.

"We are delighted to begin codeshare cooperation with Copa Airlines, which will improve our partnership as Star Alliance partners and also provide unique travel opportunities to the passengers through the far-reaching flight networks of both airlines. Especially, with our flights to Panama City operated from our incomparably positioned hub, Istanbul, passengers would enjoy to travel all around the continent with Copa Airlines' flights from Panama City," said Bilal Ekşi, Turkish Airlines Deputy Chairman & CEO.

This agreement, which complements and expands the route networks of both airlines as well as the connectivity between the continents, will also improve and promote bilateral opportunities for tourism and commercial developments between two countries.

Passengers of Copa and Turkish will enjoy the multiple benefits offered by Star Alliance, including reciprocity between the frequent flyer programs of both airlines and global recognition of the Star Alliance Gold and Silver status through the large route network that includes 1,300 airports in 190 countries.

About Turkish Airlines  

Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines is a 4-star airline today with a fleet of 337 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 299 destinations worldwide with 250 international and 49 domestic. According to the 2016 Skytrax survey, Turkish Airlines was chosen as "Europe's Best Airline" for the sixth and "Best Airline in Southern Europe" for the eighth consecutive time. Having won in 2010 the world's "Best Economy Catering Service", in 2013 and also in 2014 the world's "Best Business Catering Service", and "Best Business Class Lounge Dining", "Best Business Airline Lounge" awards in last year's survey, Turkish Airlines was awarded again the world's "Best Business Class Dining Lounge" and "Best Business Class On-Board Catering" prizes in this year's survey. More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on its official website http://www.turkishairlines.com or its social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Linkedin, and Instagram. 

About Copa Holdings, S.A. 

Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia, subsidiaries of Copa Holdings, are leading Latin American providers of passenger and cargo services. The airlines offer service to more than 70 destinations in 31 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. During Copa Airlines' 69 years of continuous operations, the Hub of the Americas in Panama has become the leading hub on the continent. Copa operates one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the industry, consisting of 100 aircraft: 77 Boeing 737 Next-Generation and 23 Embraer-190, and has an on-time performance of approximately 90 percent, one of the best in the industry. Based on its 2016 on-time performance, Copa Airlines has been recognized by FlightStats as the most on-time airline in Latin America for the fourth consecutive year, and ranked No. 2 worldwide by OAG for the second consecutive year. In addition, Copa received the award for "Leading Airline in Mexico and Central America" at the World Travel Awards and earned three Skytrax 2016 awards: "Best Airline in Central America / Caribbean," "Best Airline Staff Service in Central America / Caribbean," and "Best Regional Airline in Central America / Caribbean." Copa is a member of Star Alliance, which offers passengers more than 18,450 daily flights to 1,300 airports in 190 countries. Copa also has code-share agreements with United Airlines, Aeromexico, KLM, Lufthansa, Avianca, Iberia, GOL and TAME. To make and manage reservations, purchase tickets through secure online transactions in seven different currencies, check in online, print boarding passes, and get information about travel policies and immigration requirements, visit http://www.copa.com. Visit http://www.ConnectMiles.com to learn about enhancements and updates to Copa Airlines' passenger-loyalty program.

About Star Alliance 

The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Avianca Brasil, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 18,450 daily flights to 1,300 airports in 190 countries.

SOURCE Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines Inc., Office of Media Relations, General Management Building, 34149, Yesilköy-Istanbul, Tel: [phone] - 11153 / 11173, Fax: [phone], [email protected]