A new airline will take off from Austin this summer. Panama-based Copa Airlines announced its entry to the Austin and Central Texas air service market with a new nonstop service launching from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) on July 6, 2023.

According to a release, this will be the sixth international airline at AUS and the fourth new carrier to launch since 2020. Meanwhile, Austin will become Copa’s 15th U.S. destination, increasing the airline’s network to 80 destinations in 32 countries in North, Central, and South America, and the Caribbean.

“This exciting announcement has been years in the making,” said Jacqueline Yaft, AUS CEO. “We are thrilled to welcome Copa Airlines to Austin, Texas and cannot wait for Austinites and Central Texas to discover the gem of Panama City, Panama, a destination rich in culture, history and community. AUS is proud to bring more convenient options for connecting Central Texas to Central and South America. This route will provide economic and tourism benefits for generations to come.”

The route will also offer connections to over 55 destinations in Latin America, via the Hub of the Americas, located at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. Austinites and Central Texas travelers will soon benefit from Copa’s world-class, award-winning service with the most punctual airline in Latin America according to OAG Punctuality League 2023.

“We continue strengthening our network of destinations in the U.S. and incorporating this new route represents a window of opportunities to increase commerce, tourism, and cultural and educational exchanges between the state capital of Texas, Panama and our entire region. We’re pleased to offer greater connectivity to our passengers and contribute to the growth of tourism and commerce in Panama and the countries we serve,” said Christophe Didier, Vice President, Global Sales and Distribution at Copa Airlines.

Panama City offers visitors a robust gastronomy scene with five-star restaurants, cuisines from cultures around the world, and exciting nightlife. Nearby nature-based experiences include whale watching, scuba diving, surfing, and hiking up the highest point in the country, Baru Volcano National Park.

“Today's announcement of the Copa route launch from Panama City to Austin marks the first nonstop flight from Central America to AUS,” said Tom Noonan, President and CEO of Visit Austin. “This is a testament to how Austin continues to grow as a premier destination, and we are thrilled that Copa has invested into Austin.”

“We are thrilled that Copa Airlines has chosen AUS to begin service to Panama,” said Doug Driskill with Dell Technologies and Chair of the Austin Chamber Air Services Task Force. “This route has the added benefit of providing excellent connections to destinations throughout Central and South America. Opportunity Austin is proud to be a supporting partner in this effort, and we look forward to the economic development and leisure travel benefits that this route will provide for businesses and people in the Austin region. Copa’s announcement today continues the success story of our ever-expanding list of international connections, and we fully expect this route to be a huge win for both Copa and our community.”

Nonstop service on flight CM 0716 will depart Austin at 3:34 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, arriving at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) at 8:16 p.m. Return flights to Austin on CM 0715 leave Panama City at 9:18 am on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, arriving in Austin at 2:04 pm. The flight will be serviced by a Boeing 737-800. Tickets are on sale now at Copa.com.