A new route starting this summer will be the first new international service that Suriname has secured in over a decade.
Star Alliance member Copa Airlines is to further expand its network in South America with a new non-stop flight connecting Suriname with its Panama City hub.
eTN Chatroom: Discuss with readers from around the world:
The carrier will initially operate the route to Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (PBM) in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays from July 10, 2019, using Boeing 737-700 aircraft.
Vijay Chotkan, the Chief Executive of Airport Management Ltd., which operates Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, said: “The efforts of our team and the expert services of ASM, have finally resulted in Copa Airlines to add PBM to their route network.
“Suriname is now connected to the Americas and we invite everyone to come and enjoy our untouched nature and to taste our diverse culture.”
Suriname, once known as Dutch Guiana, is one of South America’s smallest countries and was granted independence from the Netherlands in 1975. With a population of about 560,000, the country’s main gateway is Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport which offers flights to Amsterdam via KLM, TUI fly Netherlands and Surinam Airways.
Omar Hashmi, senior consultant at ASM, said: “Suriname is a great addition to the comprehensive Copa Airlines network and I see stimulation of tourism, business and VFR markets occurring not just on local traffic to Panama City but also points on the wider Copa network.
“It has been a pleasure to work on behalf of Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport and convince Copa to invest in the nascent Paramaribo market.”
