Copa expects no slowdown in expansion or profitability

Copa remains confident it can continue to post industry-leading profit margins and expand rapidly despite the rise in fuel prices. The Panama-based airline group has reported 1Q2011 net income of USD94 million and operating income of USD101 million, representing improvements of 123% and 29% compared with 1Q2010. The group's operating margin for 1Q2011 reached 23.9%, which once again puts Copa at the top of the entire global airline industry, as yield improvements offset increases in fuel costs.