PANAMA, Oct. 15, 2009 -- Copa Airlines, subsidiary of Copa Holdings S.A. [NYSE: CPA], has announced its sponsorship of “Panama in the Smithsonian,” a series of programs and exhibits presented by the Smithsonian Latino Center in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum, affiliates of the Smithsonian network of museums.

    Copa will provide air travel from Panama to various recipients of the 2009 Legacy Award, given by the Smithsonian Latino Center to Panamanians who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of science, art and the humanities. These distinguished Panamanian citizens also will participate in the Oct. 15 opening ceremony of the “Panamanian Passages” exhibit, which focuses on the social and natural history of the Isthmus of Panama. The exhibit, which began Oct. 5, 2009, will run until May 31, 2010, in the Smithsonian’s Dillon Ripley Center.

     “Panama is the crossroads of the Americas, making Copa one of the most important airlines in Latin America. We are very pleased to provide air travel to these distinguished Panamanian citizens who are representing their country at the Smithsonian Latino Center events, and we are proud to sponsor the ‘Panama in the Smithsonian’ exhibit, which will provide the opportunity for so many people to appreciate the cultural heritage and history of Panama.”, said Joe Mohan, Commercial Vice President, Copa Airlines.

     The “Panama in the Smithsonian” program events, which focus on the history, territory and cultural expressions of the people of Panama, include 18 public and educational activities, including conferences, children’s workshops, and music and dance presentations that will take place in Washington, D.C., Brooklyn, and the Republic of Panama from October through the beginning de 2010.

     ““The Smithsonian Latino Center greatly appreciates the support of Copa Airlines. Their contribution ensures the quality, relevance and accessibility of the ‘Panama in the Smithsonian’ program series. From its geologic formation 3.5 million years ago to today, Panama has played a fundamentally important role in the history of the Americas, and in its scientific, cultural and economic development,” said Eduardo Diaz, Smithsonian Latino Center.

     Copa Airlines offers five flights a week between Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., and its Hub of the Americas in Panama City.

For more information and a calendar of “Panama in the Smithsonian” events, please visit www.latino.si.edu.

     Copa Holdings, through its Copa Airlines and Aero República operating subsidiaries, is a leading Latin American provider of passenger and cargo service. Copa Airlines currently offers 144 daily scheduled flights to 45 destinations in 24 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean through its Hub of the Americas based in Panama City, Panama. From the U.S., Copa offers nonstop service to Panama 20 times a week from Miami; daily from New York City and Los Angeles; five times weekly from Washington, D.C.; and 13 times a week from Orlando.

     In addition, Copa Airlines provides passengers with access to flights to more than 120 other international destinations through codeshare agreements with Continental Airlines and other airlines. Aero República, the second-largest air carrier in Colombia, provides service to 12 cities in Colombia as well as international connectivity with Copa Airlines’ Hub of the Americas through daily flights from Bogotá, Cali and Medellin. For more information about Copa destinations or to book flights, visit www.copaair.com.