"The entire Copa Airlines organization is very pleased and proud to have received the Regional Leadership award of the Airline Business Strategy Awards," said Copa CEO Pedro Heilbron. "Copa has enjoyed considerable growth and success in the last few years; this recognition gives us the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to excellence, and to providing the best connectivity throughout Latin America and world-class service throughout our extensive route network."

This is the second time the Panamanian airline has received one of Airline Business' prestigious awards.  In 2009, Copa took honors in the overall Airline Business Award category.

The 2012 awards ceremony took place on July 8 in London, England, with a distinguished audience of airline industry leaders in attendance.  Winners were selected by a panel of six independent judges, all respected figures in the international aviation industry.

Copa Airlines is one of the fastest-growing airlines in Latin America and its Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama, is the most efficient connecting point in the region.

In 2011, Copa increased its available seat mile capacity more than 20 percent, and expanded its hub operations to include six flight banks (groups of connecting flight schedules).  Copa operates flights to more international destinations in Latin America than any other airline from any other hub in the Latin American region.

By mid-2012, the Panamanian airline will have added five new destinations to its route network: Las Vegas, Nev.; Guanacaste, Costa Rica; Recife, Brazil; the Caribbean island of Curacao; and Iquitos, Peru. With the new destinations, the airline will offer service to 64 destinations in 29 countries in the Americas and the Caribbean.

In June, Copa Airlines officially became part of Star Alliance, the largest global airline network, composed of 27 of the world's major airlines.