United Airlines will introduce nonstop flights between its hub at Denver International Airport (DIA) and Panama City beginning Dec. 3, subject to government approval. The new service will operate daily November through August and five times weekly in September and October, offering Denver-area travelers direct access to the Panamanian capital and connections to several additional cities in Central and South America through United’s strategic partnership with Copa Airlines.
With the addition of the Denver-Panama City route, DIA will provide access to more than 180 destinations worldwide, including 24 nonstop international destinations in 10 countries. United will operate the service with Boeing 737-700 aircraft with 118 seats – 12 in United First and 106 in United Economy, including 40 Economy Plus extra-legroom seats.
“This new United Airlines flight is yet another option that continues to position Denver International Airport as a critical hub for air travel,” said Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper. “We’re grateful for all of the hard work that has gone and will go into this additional service.”
Preliminary estimates show that the Denver-Panama City service will generate between $35 million and $40 million in annual economic impact to the State of Colorado and will create more than 400 new jobs.
“Just as Tokyo opened a gateway to Asia, Panama City will open the Rocky Mountain West to all of South America,” said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock. “United Airlines’ decision to begin nonstop flights to Panama City is another major addition to DIA’s premier flight service and will strengthen the region’s position as a global hub and international competitor. Today nearly 350 people a day travel between Colorado and South America. We anticipate this service will stimulate additional travel, and we already look forward to the increased tourism, cultural and business connections this new service will provide.”
“Following the success of our Denver-Tokyo flight, our new service to Panama City will link our Denver business and leisure travelers to the business and finance capital of Central America and open the door to other new, international destinations through our partner airlines,” said Steve Jaquith, United’s managing director of the Denver hub.
The addition of the Denver-Panama City flight comes as international passenger traffic has reached historic levels at DIA over the past year. March 2014 was the all-time busiest month for international passenger traffic in Denver. United’s service to Panama City will provide a convenient connection for travelers to top destinations in South America, including: Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Argentina.
“Panama City ranks as one of Denver’s largest unserved markets in the Central/South America region,” said Kim Day, Denver’s Manager of Aviation. “Our air service development strategy carefully targets destinations which we believe offer the most potential for long-term success, and we have long focused on Panama City for service. Similar to our efforts to secure service to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport, we focus on hub-to-hub connections that will best serve the size of our growing international market. United’s flight will connect to their Star Alliance partner, Copa Airlines, which has a well-developed hub in Panama City connecting to nearly 40 cities in the region.”
In addition to providing nonstop service to 30 destinations in 11 countries across South America, Copa’s hub in Panama City also provides access to destinations across Central America and the Caribbean. Denver will serve as a convenient connecting hub for passengers across the north- and Midwest, as well as Canada, who want quick access to Panama and South America.
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