April 29, 2026

PANAMA CITY, 29th April 2026: At a ceremony with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Copa Airlines and CFM International* (“CFM”) finalized an agreement for CFM LEAP-1B engines to power 40 firm and 20 option Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Pedro Heilbron, Chief Executive Officer of Copa Airlines, said, “For Copa Airlines, the signing of this agreement represents a significant step toward continuing to strengthen our operations and the connectivity we provide from Panama. Through the Hub of the Americas®, we have consolidated our position as the leading connection center in the region, offering more flights and destinations, along with the best on-time performance in the Americas. Incorporating new aircraft will be key to further expanding our operations and destination network, as well as continuing to contribute to the economic development of Panama and the region by generating new jobs and driving growth in the tourism sector.” Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace said, “CFM is proud to have a decades-long relationship with Copa Airlines. The LEAP-powered 737 MAX will further strengthen Copa’s position as one of the leading carriers in Latin America as it expands its network and modernizes its fleet across the Americas.” Gaël Méheust, President and CEO of CFM International said, “We’re honored that Copa Airlines has again chosen to place its confidence in CFM. The LEAP-powered 737 MAX will be a powerful asset for Copa with the lower fuel consumption, longer range, and the high reliability that airlines value.” Copa Airlines has more than a quarter century of history with CFM and continues to modernize its fleet with the latest-generation LEAP-powered aircraft. Copa Airlines became a CFM customer in 1999 with an order for eight Boeing 737 aircraft with CFM56-7B engines. The airline currently operates more than 100 CFM-powered aircraft, with more than 30 additional LEAP-1B powered aircraft on order. With more than 4,600 aircraft delivered to date, CFM LEAP engines have experienced the fastest ramp in commercial aviation history. Advanced technologies like composite fan blades and ceramic matrix composites deliver an engine for customers that is 15% more fuel efficient, with 15% lower carbon emissions than prior-generation CFM56 engines. Backed by advanced health monitoring systems and an open Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul ecosystem, CFM LEAP engines offer mature reliability and enable high asset utilization for narrowbody aircraft. *CFM is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines.

Kuala Lumpur,29th April 2026: Preliminary March 2026 traffic figures released today by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed robust growth in international passenger traffic, reflecting healthy travel appetite. Asian carriers also benefited from an upsurge in demand on Asia-Europe routes, as travellers shifted to alternative routings following airspace closures and operational disruptions at Middle East hubs. For the month, a combined total of 33.9 million passengers flew on the region’s carriers, representing an 8.5% year-on-year increase. Demand, as measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), rose by a solid 11.3%, reflecting strength on longer-haul routes. This increase in demand significantly outpaced the 1.9% year-on-year expansion in available seat capacity. As a result, the average international passenger load factor rose markedly, by 7.4 percentage points to a record high of 87.6% in March. Supply chains were also disrupted by the war, resulting in cargo flight cancellations and the subsequent rerouting of Asia – Europe cargo flows away from key Middle East hubs. Against this backdrop, international air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), rose by 2.5% year-on-year in March, supported by an increased demand for timely shipments. Offered freight capacity rose by 3.8%, resulting in a 0.7 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor to 62.3%. Commenting on the results, Mr. Wong Hong, AAPA Director General, said, “The aviation industry faced multiple challenges in March, as military conflict in the Middle East led to flight cancellations and a sharp increase in jet fuel prices. Asia Pacific airlines responded swiftly by making network adjustments, including adding flights on key Asia – Europe routes, and trimming unprofitable routes in the face of higher fuel and operating costs. This supported both passenger and cargo demand during the month, bringing first quarter growth to 6.2%, with 102 million international passengers carried, and a 5.7% increase in air cargo demand.” Wong Hong added, “However, the impact of the Middle East conflict has begun to weigh on what had been an encouraging start to the year. Already grappling with high operating costs due to persistent supply chain issues, airlines are now facing additional strain, with jet fuel prices up by 80% year-on-year to an average of US$156 per barrel in March, compared to US$87 per barrel a year earlier. Fuel remains the single largest cost item for Asia Pacific carriers, accounting for around 30% of total operating expenses.” Looking ahead, Mr. Wong Hong concluded, “The duration of the Middle East conflict is going to add uncertainty to the global economic outlook and air travel demand. Against this backdrop, Asia Pacific airlines continue to maintain vigilance over cost controls while maintaining international connectivity. The region’s airlines remain committed to the highest safety standards, and to working closely with governments and industry stakeholders to ensuring safe, efficient and sustainable operations.”