Copa Airlines Return To Barbados After Two-Year Hiatus

• Published date: 23 June 2022
• Subject Matter: Strategy, Transport, Investment Strategy, Aviation
• Law Firm: Invest Barbados
• Author: Invest Barbados

Panamanian carrier Copa Airlines touched down at the Grantley Adams International Airport [recently], after a two-year hiatus with an almost 80 per cent load factor.

Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.'s (BTMI), Director of Latin America and the Caribbean, Corey Garrett, who arrived on the flight, pointed out that the return of the airline came after "some very deep intense discussions" with Copa representatives. He spoke about the significance and benefits of the airline returning to Barbados.

"Latin America is one of our closest continental neighbours and at the same time provides a perfect opportunity to continue to grow the portfolio of tourism marketing for destination Barbados, in that particular market. We understand what the focus is; we understand the market, and we understand the airline that we are working with.

"We have landed a bigger plane than we landed in 2018 and that also now provides further opportunities for destination Barbados, and of course our neighbour Panama to work from a more commercial or investment standpoint.... We now have a cargo hold where we can increase the exportation between Barbados and Panama, and of course create many more commercial linkages as we work deeply to even grow the leisure tourism business," Mr. Garrett explained.

In addition, he noted that with the return of Copa Airlines, people in Latin America, North, Central and South America would have access to Barbados, and as such, the country could pursue not only leisure tourism, but also "high net worth individuals", investors, and those who wish to hold meetings, incentives, conferences and events.

Mr. Garrett also shared...