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.
