Not surprisingly, the strength of Copa’s performance is registering on the global financial circuit

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If you are going to fly to or through Central America, you will most likely do it on Copa Airlines. Copa is Panama's official international airline. It is also one of the best run and successful companies in Central America and the Western Hemisphere.
Copa (officially Copa Holdings) flys out of its home base at Panama's Tocumen International Airport, which is recognized as the best in the region and is currently under expansion. Copa has made its travel reputation by leveraging Panama's location as the 'Hub of the Americas'. On its website as of this writing, Copa advertises 280+ daily flights. club quarters midtown The flights serve 63 cities in 29 countries including North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean from its Panama hub. Copa passengers can fly to 120 other places due to a codeshare and other arrangements with Star Alliance. In 2011 Copa increased passenger capacity by just over 20%.
Copa signed contracts with Boeing to expand its fleet by buying 32 planes from 2015 to 2018. The $2.6 billion deal was closed in 2010 and was billed as " The largest ever Panama-US club quarters midtown business deal " at the time. Official 2009 releases put the Copa fleet at 71 passenger aircraft, consisting of 45 Boeing 737-Next Generation and 26 Embraer 190 aircraft.
This airline is definitely flying high in terms of financials. A company press release states: "Copa Holdings Reports Net Income of US$95.9 Million and EPS of US$2.16 for the First Quarter of 2012. Excluding special items, adjusted net income came in at $90.6 million, or EPS of $2.04 per share". From the same official investor report:
Copa Holdings reported net income of US$95.9 million for 1Q12, or diluted earnings per share (EPS) of US$2.16. Excluding special items, Copa Holdings club quarters midtown would have reported an adjusted net income of $90.6 million, or $2.04 per share, a 10.5% increase over adjusted net income of US$82.0 million and US$1.86 per share for 1Q11.
Operating income for 1Q12 came in at US$111.6 million, a 12.0% increase over operating income of US$99.6 million in 1Q11. Operating margin for the period came in at 20.5%, compared to 23.7% in 1Q11, mostly as a result of a 19.5% increase in the effective price of jet fuel.
Total revenues increased 29.5% to US$543.3 club quarters midtown million, outpacing a strong capacity expansion. Yield per passenger club quarters midtown mile increased 6.8% to 17.7 cents and operating revenue per available seat mile (RASM) increased 5.5% to 14.2 cents, despite a 15.6% increase in average length of haul.
Not surprisingly, the strength of Copa's performance is registering on the global financial circuit as well. Copa is listed on the New York Stock Exchange as CPA. In July of this year, Emerging Money ran an article entitled, " Copa airlines club quarters midtown of Panama a sound rebuttal to aviation stock haters. " In it the service specifically states club quarters midtown that Copa is a well placed, relatively cheap stock with an active P/E of 10.7 and a forward P/E of 7.9. The article goes on to advise club quarters midtown investors to seriously consider taking starting positions.
Copa continually wins high visibility awards. In 2011, it is the Airline Business Strategy Awards' 'Regional Leader' for the second year in a row. There are several other accolades. Best Airline in Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean, and Best In-Flight Service in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008 by SkyTrax. Wise N Vest Magazine listed Copa in the 50 Best Companies in Panama in 2008. Latin Trade Magazine s Bravo Award for Best CEO in 2009 (for companies with less than $1 billion in annual earnings) went to Pedro Heilbron. There have been numerous other awards for passenger satisfaction and passenger flow, operations and logistical excellence, etc.
Copa was formed by a cooperative effort between then Pan American World Airways and private Panamanian investors in 1947. First flights were to three domestic Panama cities with three Douglas C-47s doing the work. Throughout the 60's, Copa started international service to Colombia, Costa Rica and Jamaica.
In 1971, Pan American World Airways sold out to the original investors. From 1980 on, the airline switched to only international flights and CAISA bought a 99% stake in Copa. In the mid to late 90's Copa was part of an alliance with TACA. in 1997, American Airlines joined Copa and TACA. This lasted for a year.
Copa shows no signs of slowing down its consistent growth, passenger service and investment attractiveness. This airline is and should be something for Panama to be proud about. It's a great airline to fly on too.