Copa Airlines Announces Order for up to 21 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 Airplanes
July 16 2009 - 11:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
Panama-based airline places firm order for 13 airplanes and options
for an additional eight PANAMA CITY, July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- Copa Airlines, subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE:CPA) and
Boeing (NYSE:BA) today announced an order for 13 Boeing 737-800
airplanes. At Boeing list prices, the new order will represent a
total investment of approximately $1 billion (USD). The total
number of Boeing Next-Generation 737s Copa has on firm order now
stands at 27. Delivery of the 13 newly ordered airplanes is
scheduled to begin in 2012 and end in 2015, with the eight
additional options scheduled for delivery between 2015 and 2017.
These new airplanes will be outfitted with Boeing's signature "Sky
Interior" featuring new 787-style modern sculpted sidewalls and
window reveals that provide passengers with a greater connection to
the flying experience. They will also benefit from performance
enhancements expected to result in a two percent reduction in fuel
consumption by 2011 through a combination of airframe and engine
improvements. The Next-Generation 737 is the newest and most
technologically advanced airplane in its class. It flies higher,
faster and farther than previous models and competitors. In
addition, its flight deck features the latest liquid-crystal
flat-panel displays and is designed to accommodate new
communications and flight-management capabilities. "The Boeing 737s
have been a major factor in Copa's success, providing us with
operating and cost efficiencies, and enabling us to offer our
passengers world-class service and an extensive route network
throughout Latin America," said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa
Airlines. "This order reaffirms our confidence in our business
model and the growth potential of Latin American aviation." "Copa
Airlines continues to be successful in a very challenging economic
environment through the use of the Next-Generation 737 latest
technology and superior economics," said Scott Carson, President
and CEO of Boeing. Copa was the first carrier in the Americas to
incorporate blended winglets on its 737s. All of its
Next-Generation 737s use the distinctive curved wing ends, which
improve fuel efficiency and lift while reducing engine wear and
carbon dioxide emissions. Copa also was the first in the region to
order Next- Generation 737s with the Vertical Situation Display
(VSD) system, which enhances safety by providing pilots with an
easy-to-understand flight-path view. About Copa Holdings, S.A. Copa
Holdings, through its Copa Airlines and Aero Republica operating
subsidiaries, is a leading Latin American provider of passenger and
cargo service. Copa Airlines currently offers approximately 144
daily scheduled flights to 45 destinations in 24 countries in
North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. In addition,
Copa Airlines provides passengers with access to flights to more
than 120 other international destinations through code share
agreements with Continental Airlines and other airlines. Aero
Republica, the second-largest domestic carrier in Colombia,
provides service to 12 cities in Colombia as well as international
connectivity with Copa Airlines' Hub of the Americas through
flights from Bogota, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cartagena, Medellin and
Pereira. Additionally, Aero Republica has direct daily flights to
Caracas, Venezuela from Cartagena and Medellin, Colombia. For more
information, visit http://www.copaair.com/. CPA-G DATASOURCE: Copa
Holdings, S.A. CONTACT: Patricia Roquebert, Panama, Copa Holdings,
+011-507-304-2672 Web site: http://www.copaair.com/
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