Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA), Mexico City: this airport, which opened in 2022, will see Copa Airlines' operation suspended on January 12, 2025.
Although AIFA was developed to relieve congestion at Mexico City International Airport, Copa Airlines has decided to redeploy its fleet while awaiting the arrival of new aircraft.
Armenia, Colombia: as of January 20, 2025, flights to this city, located in the heart of the Colombian coffee-growing region, will also be suspended. Armenia is a key destination for travelers seeking to explore the coffee region, renowned for its biodiversity and natural landscapes.
The reason for this temporary restructuring is the delay in the delivery of new Boeing aircraft that the airline had requested. These new aircraft, mostly Boeing 737 MAX models, are essential for Copa Airlines to maintain an extensive route network and continue to expand its connectivity in the region. However, in the absence of these additional units, the airline has opted to prioritize destinations with higher demand and optimize the use of its current fleet.
The suspended routes are currently operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with capacity for 160 passengers in business and economy class. By redirecting these aircraft to other destinations, Copa Airlines ensures the stability of its operation on the busiest routes and prevents the lack of capacity from negatively affecting the customer experience in key markets.
Copa Airlines has advised that passengers with tickets booked on these routes have the right to request a full refund or change their itinerary. The airline is committed to providing alternatives to minimize inconvenience and has strengthened its customer service team to facilitate these changes. Passengers can contact the airline directly or visit Copa's official website to learn more about their options.
This decision by Copa Airlines is a reflection of its flexibility to adapt to changing market circumstances, but also underscores the importance of having an adequate fleet to meet demand across its network. The suspension of routes to popular destinations, while temporary, represents a challenge, as it will affect regular passengers who used these connections for business, tourism and family travel.
For Copa Airlines, this measure also represents an opportunity to consolidate its presence on higher-traffic routes and optimize its resources while the fleet situation normalizes. In a highly competitive market, efficient resource management and the ability to react quickly to aircraft supply problems are critical to ensure profitability and service quality.
The reactivation of these routes will depend on the arrival of the delayed aircraft and the continuous evaluation of the performance and demand of each destination. The expectation is that once these logistical issues are overcome, Copa Airlines will be able to resume service to Santiago de los Caballeros, Tulum, AIFA and Armenia to continue serving passengers who depend on these connections.
