First Copa Airlines Flight from Panama City Lands in Barbados

Tourism officials here believe direct air links between Barbados and Panama will open the door for the growth of genealogy tourism.

The inaugural Copa Airlines flight from Panama City landed at Grantley Adams International Airport at 2 p.m. today, with Barbadian pilot Marc Holder in control and several Panamanian and local tourism officials, including Minister of Tourism and International Transport Kerrie Symmonds, on board.

Symmonds said with over 20,000 Barbadians having migrated to Panama to help build the Panama Canal, which was completed on August 15, 1914, the direct flight was an opportunity for Barbadians to trace their roots.

Minister of Tourism and International Transport Kerrie Symmonds (left) presents Copa Airline pilot Barbadian Chetwyn Clarke (right) with a gift as manager for Copa Airlines, Bernado Ordas looks on.

The minister said the Copa flight would broaden the island’s tourism market to include not only South America, but untapped markets in the United States, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas.

Symmonds also said Government was considering the establishment of a gateway for cruise tourism outside of the traditional markets.

Meantime, Bernado Ordas, Copa Airlines’ regional manager, said there were high expectations for the new air service, with two flights a week.

Source: Barbados Today