Panama’s Copa on course for more industry-leading profits and double-digit growth in 2013

Panama-based Copa continues to outperform nearly every airline group in the world, recording an operating profit margin of 17.9% for 2012 as profits increased by 5% to USD327 million. Copa has been consistently highly profitable since its 2005 initial public offering, with annual operating margins every year of at least 17%. During this period the average operating profit margin in the global airline industry has been in the zero to 4% range.

Copa, which has more than tripled its annual RPKs since 2005, expects more double-digit growth and industry leading profitability in 2013. Panama has the fastest growing economy in Latin America and the region overall continues to have healthy GDP growth, fuelling demand for travel within the region. Copa is well positioned to cash in on the continued rapid growth in international travel within Latin America as Panama City is the largest intra-Latin America hub and, unlike most other airports in the region, is committed to expanding the infrastructure to keep up with Copa's rapid growth trajectory.