Copa Airlines to Launch Direct Route for Panama-Bahamas Holidays in June

Tourists will soon be able to enjoy four weekly direct flights to Bahamas holidays departing from Panama as Copa Airlines announces that it will be launching a new service from the island's Nassau International Airport from 15th June, 2011.

Copa Airlines has announced that it will be launching new direct flights between the Bahamas and Panama City from June this year.

The new flights will allow travellers from Panama to enjoy a direct route for their Bahamas holidays and likewise this will mean a new service to Latin America for residents of the Caribbean island.

The airline revealed that it will be launching four flights a week from 15th June, 2011 which are scheduled to depart Panama City on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9.18am local time to arrive in Nassau just after 1pm local time. The returning Bahamas holidays flight will depart the island at 3.25pm and arrive in Panama City at 17.02pm local time.

The non-stop service provides a vital link to Latin American travellers and is being welcomed by local businesses, Bahamas hotels and resorts, and the financial services sector which is keen to improve relationships with Latin markets.

Tourists will be able to enjoy holidays in the Bahamas with direct return flights starting from $600 including taxes, fees and fuel surcharges.

Passengers who are connecting through Panama to reach the Bahamas will not have to go through immigration and customs and during their flights they will receive complimentary meals, soft drinks, wines and spirits.

The Bahamas had reportedly being lobbying the new route for a number of years and in December 2010, a final pitch was made by the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, several tourism promotion boards and the Nassau Airport Development Company.

In preparation for the predicted increase in business as a result from the new flights, the Ministry of Tourism and the Bahamas Hotel Association set up a workshop, “Preparing to Better Service the Latin American Market”, earlier this month aimed at helping businesses understand the impact the Latin American market could have on The Bahamas.

The new routes will link Nassau to Copa Airlines’ network of 49 destinations across 27 countries in South America, North America and the Caribbean.