Thursday, July 16, 2009
PANAMA CITY, July 16, 2009 – Copa Airlines, subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S.A. [NYSE: CPA] and Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced an order for 13 Boeing 737-800 airplanes, plus options for an additional eight airplanes. At Boeing list prices, the new order will represent a total investment of approximately $1 billion (USD).
The president of the Republic of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, and other important government representatives were present at the ceremony in Panama where the new aircraft order was announced.
“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 Copa CEO, Pedro Heilbron. “This order reaffirms our confidence in our business model and the growth potential of Latin American aviation.”
The total number of Boeing Next-Generation 737s Copa has on firm order now stands at 27. The first deliveries of the 13 newly ordered airplanes will begin in 2012 and end in 2015, with the eight additional options for deliveries between 2015 and 2017.
The 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 also will benefit from performance enhancements expected to result in a 2 percent reduction in fuel consumption by 2011 through a combination of airframe and engine improvements.
"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.
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.
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.