Los Cabos to Launch First Direct Flight to Latin America via Copa Airlines

 

The Los Cabos Tourism Board and Copa Airlines have announced a new nonstop route between Panama City (PTY) and Los Cabos (SJD), set to begin operations on December 4, 2025. This marks the first-ever direct air connection between Los Cabos and Latin America, with projections indicating it will bring over 25,000 annual tourists from Central and South America.  

Operating three times weekly (Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) on a 160-seat Boeing 737-800, the flight will depart Panama City at 9:09 AM and arrive in Los Cabos at 12:27 PM. Return flights will leave Los Cabos at 1:33 PM, arriving in Panama City at 8:30 PM. The route will connect travelers from more than 20 Latin American destinations through Copa’s Hub of the Americas® in Panama.  

Maribel Collins, Head of Baja California Sur’s Ministry of Tourism and Economy (SETUE), emphasized the route’s significance: "This direct link is pivotal for diversifying international tourism in Mexico. By facilitating access from key Central and South American markets, we’ll boost visitor numbers and regional economic growth."  

Rodrigo Esponda, Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, noted the route culminates nine years of strategic negotiations: "For the first time, we’re opening direct access to Latin American markets—key to diversifying beyond our core U.S. and Canadian visitors."  

The partnership, cultivated since 2016 at global aviation forums like Routes World, taps into rising Latin American travel demand. Between January and November 2021, Mexico welcomed 1.36 million South American tourists, with Los Cabos seeing sustained growth from this market since 2020. Top target countries include Panama, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru—nations with strong affinity for beach destinations.  

Copa Airlines CEO Pedro Heilbron stated: "This expansion reinforces our hub’s role as Latin America’s premier connection point while creating new economic opportunities." Francisco Villaseñor, Director of Los Cabos International Airport, added that the route positions Los Cabos as "a world-class destination" that will boost local hotels and businesses.  

Economically, the route is projected to generate over $25 million USD annually, with tourists spending an average of $1,000+ per visit. By eliminating layovers in the U.S. or Mexico City—reducing connection times to under two hours—the flight enhances Los Cabos’ competitiveness as a Latin American tourism hub while reducing reliance on North American markets.