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Hub of the Americas · Panama's Flag Carrier · Star Alliance Member

Copa Airlines Cargo

Copa Airlines Cargo (IATA: CM) is the dedicated air freight division of Copa Airlines, Panama's flag carrier and a member of the Star Alliance. Operating from the Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport, Copa Airlines Cargo provides the most extensive air cargo connectivity in Latin America, serving over 70 destinations across the Americas and the Caribbean with a combination of dedicated Boeing 737-800BCF freighters and belly-hold capacity on one of the region's youngest and most modern passenger fleets.

Country
Panama
IATA Code
CM
ICAO Code
CMP
AWB Prefix
230
Hub
PTY Panama City
Founded
1944
Freighters
2 B737-800BCF
Annual Capacity
50,000 t

Airline Overview

Key facts about Copa Airlines Cargo and its cargo proposition for shippers in China.

Full name
Copa Airlines Cargo — the dedicated air freight division of Copa Airlines (Compañía Panameña de Aviación, S.A.), the flag carrier of Panama and a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S.A.
Country
Panama.
Headquarters & hub
Panama City, Panama — Tocumen International Airport (PTY / MPTO), the "Hub of the Americas". Secondary hubs: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), Costa Rica; Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA), Nicaragua; La Aurora International Airport (GUA), Guatemala.
Founded
21 June 1944; commenced commercial operations in 1947. Cargo division formally expanded with dedicated freighters in 2022.
Parent company
Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE: CPA). Principal operating subsidiaries: Copa Airlines (Panama) and Copa Colombia (AeroRepública).
Alliance
Star Alliance (joined 21 June 2012).
Key strengths
Operates the most extensive air cargo network in Latin America with over 70 destinations; Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport offers unrivalled connectivity between North, Central and South America and the Caribbean; fleet of 2× Boeing 737-800BCF dedicated freighters with 22 tonnes payload each; belly-hold capacity on one of the region's youngest passenger fleets (125 aircraft, average age 10.2 years as of December 2025); projected annual cargo capacity of 50,000 tonnes; operational 24/7 at Tocumen; cargo terminal at Tocumen International Airport; door-to-door courier service (Copa Courier); experienced cargo leadership under Jaime Álvarez, Senior Director of Cargo and Courier.
Fleet overview
Total fleet of 125 aircraft as of December 31, 2025: 47× Boeing 737 MAX (2.9 years average age), 67× Boeing 737-800 (13.3 years), 9× Boeing 737-700 (22.2 years), and 2× Boeing 737-800BCF dedicated freighters (20.4 years). Firm orders for 85 additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for delivery between 2026 and 2034. Two additional 737-800BCFs may be added subject to demand.
IATA 2-letter code
CM.
ICAO code
CMP.
Callsign
COPA.
Air Waybill prefix
230 (three-digit IATA accounting prefix). AWB format: 230-XXXXXXXX (11 digits total).
Official website
www.copacargo.com / www.copaair.com

China Region Contact

Copa Airlines Cargo representation in mainland China and Hong Kong.

Copa Airlines maintains offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong, China. The airline's first dedicated freighter was converted from passenger configuration at GAMECO (Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company Ltd.) in Guangzhou, China, in 2021–2022, reflecting Copa's strong operational ties with China's aviation maintenance industry. For cargo bookings from China, please contact Goodhope Freight for coordination with Copa Airlines Cargo.

Shanghai Office

Location: Shanghai, China

Function: Sales and customer support for East China

Note: Copa Airlines operates passenger services from Shanghai Pudong (PVG) to Panama City (PTY) via connections.

For cargo bookings: Please contact Goodhope Freight for coordination.

Hong Kong Office

Location: Hong Kong, China

Function: Sales and customer support for South China and Hong Kong

Note: Copa Cargo shopping platforms serve Hong Kong and other countries, earning consumers a virtual address.

For cargo bookings: Please contact Goodhope Freight for coordination.

Global Cargo Contact

Cargo Operations (Bogotá): couoperacionescopacargabog@copaair.com

Cargo Phone (Colombia): (571) 3214909024

Courier Contact: recojos-pty@copaair.com

Head Office: Boulevard Manuel Ávila Camacho No. 261, Mexico City (regional office)

Website: www.copacargo.com

Fleet & Cargo Capability

Copa Airlines Cargo operates dedicated Boeing 737-800BCF freighters and utilises extensive belly-hold capacity on one of the Americas' youngest and most modern passenger fleets.

AircraftTypeIn serviceRegistrationMax PayloadRangeTypical routes
Boeing 737-800BCF Dedicated freighter (converted) 2 HP-1522CMP (33709) / HP-1990W 22 tonnes 5–6 hours Panama City – Santo Domingo, Bogotá, San José, Havana, San Salvador, Guatemala City, Managua, Caracas, Miami, Port of Spain, Barbados, Guayaquil, San Pedro Sula
Boeing 737 MAX Passenger aircraft (belly cargo) 47 — [To be confirmed] Long-haul capable North, Central and South America; Caribbean; connections to 70+ destinations
Boeing 737-800 Passenger aircraft (belly cargo) 67 — [To be confirmed] Medium-haul Regional Americas and Caribbean network
Boeing 737-700 Passenger aircraft (belly cargo) 9 — [To be confirmed] Short-to-medium haul Regional routes

* Copa Airlines Cargo's dedicated freighter fleet comprises 2× Boeing 737-800BCF aircraft, each with 22 tonnes payload capacity and 5–6 hours range. The first aircraft (HP-1522CMP) was converted at GAMECO in Guangzhou, China, and entered service on 28 March 2022 with flights to Santo Domingo. The second aircraft (HP-1990W) was added in September 2025, increasing total annual cargo capacity to 50,000 tonnes (15% increase over prior levels). The combined belly-hold capacity of Copa's 123 passenger aircraft (47× B737 MAX, 67× B737-800, 9× B737-700) provides extensive additional cargo lift across the network.

Cargo Products & Services

Copa Airlines Cargo offers a comprehensive range of air freight solutions tailored to the needs of shippers across the Americas and the Caribbean.

General Cargo

Standard air freight services on scheduled passenger and freighter routes. Competitive rates for international and regional shipments throughout the Americas. Pricing based on weight and volume.

Express & Courier

Door-to-door courier service managed by Copa Cargo. Priority handling for time-critical shipments with expedited customs clearance and final-mile delivery across the network.

Pharmaceuticals

Temperature-sensitive handling for pharmaceutical products, medicines and medical supplies. Compliant with international cold-chain standards and regulatory requirements.

Perishables

Specialised handling for fresh flowers, fish, seafood and other perishable goods. Expedited processing and priority boarding to preserve product quality.

Agro-Industrial

Export solutions for agricultural and industrial products. Supports the growth of agribusiness exports from Central and South America to international markets.

High-Value & Electronics

Secure handling for electronics, fashion goods and other high-value shipments. Enhanced security protocols and priority supervision available.

Important note on international cargo: Copa Airlines Cargo provides cargo services through both dedicated freighter aircraft and belly-hold capacity on passenger flights. For China-origin cargo, shipments are typically routed via connections through Los Angeles (LAX) or other US gateways to Panama City (PTY), then distributed across Latin America and the Caribbean. Please contact Goodhope Freight for coordination and booking.

Airports Served in China & Flight Schedule

Copa Airlines Cargo's services connecting China with Latin America and the Caribbean via the Hub of the Americas.

Copa Airlines does not currently operate direct scheduled freighter flights from mainland China. However, Copa Airlines operates passenger services from Shanghai Pudong (PVG) to Panama City (PTY) via connections, providing belly-hold cargo capacity. Copa's first dedicated freighter was converted at GAMECO in Guangzhou, China, and the airline maintains offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Cargo from China is typically routed via connections through Los Angeles (LAX) or other US gateways to Panama City, then distributed across the Americas.

For reference, Copa Airlines Cargo's key freighter routes and belly-hold connections from China include the following:

RouteAircraftFrequencyStatus
Shanghai (PVG) → Los Angeles (LAX) → Panama City (PTY) Passenger aircraft belly-hold Via connections Active — connecting service
Hong Kong (HKG) → Los Angeles (LAX) → Panama City (PTY) Passenger aircraft belly-hold Via connections Active — connecting service
Panama City (PTY) → Santo Domingo (SDQ) Boeing 737-800BCF Regular freighter Active — first BCF route
Panama City (PTY) → Bogotá (BOG) Boeing 737-800BCF Regular freighter Active
Panama City (PTY) → San José (SJO), Havana (HAV), San Salvador (SAL), Guatemala City (GUA), Managua (MGA), Caracas (CCS) Boeing 737-800BCF Regular freighter Active
Panama City (PTY) → Miami (MIA), Port of Spain (POS), Barbados (BGI), Guayaquil (GYE), San Pedro Sula (SAP) Boeing 737-800BCF Planned / new destinations (from 2025–2026) Planned expansion

Copa Airlines Cargo operates over 70 destinations through its freighter fleet and the commercial passenger routes of Copa Airlines. The airline's first dedicated freighter (HP-1522CMP) was ferried from Panama to GAMECO in Guangzhou, China, in August 2021 for passenger-to-freighter conversion, with stops in Los Angeles (LAX), Anchorage (ANC) and Tokyo Haneda (HND). It was delivered in early 2022 and began operations on 28 March 2022. The second freighter (HP-1990W) was added in September 2025. Please consult your local agent for the latest schedule and confirmed connections.

International Cargo Routes from China

Destinations reachable from China through the Copa Airlines Cargo network (via Panama City hub and interline partners).

Copa Airlines Cargo's network spans North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, with Panama City's Tocumen International Airport (PTY) — the "Hub of the Americas" — as its primary hub. The airline serves over 70 destinations through its own operations and Star Alliance partnerships. Key destinations reachable from China include:

North & Central America

  • USA (MIA, LAX, JFK, ORD, IAD, ATL, SFO, etc.)
  • Mexico (MEX, CUN, GDL, MTY)
  • Guatemala (GUA)
  • Costa Rica (SJO)
  • Nicaragua (MGA)
  • Honduras (SAP)
  • El Salvador (SAL)
  • Belize (BZE)

South America

  • Colombia (BOG, MDE, CTG, BAQ, etc.)
  • Ecuador (UIO, GYE)
  • Peru (LIM)
  • Chile (SCL)
  • Argentina (EZE, COR, ROS)
  • Brazil (GRU, GIG, BSB, etc.)
  • Uruguay (MVD)
  • Paraguay (ASU)
  • Bolivia (VVI, LPB)

Caribbean

  • Dominican Republic (SDQ, PUJ)
  • Cuba (HAV)
  • Puerto Rico (SJU)
  • Jamaica (KIN)
  • Trinidad & Tobago (POS)
  • Barbados (BGI)
  • Aruba (AUA)
  • Curaçao (CUR)
  • Haiti (PAP)
  • St. Maarten (SXM)

Recommended China routing: Shanghai (PVG) / Hong Kong (HKG) → Los Angeles (LAX) or other US gateway via partner carrier → Panama City (PTY) on Copa Airlines Cargo → final destination (Latin America and Caribbean). Exact routing, carriers and transit points are per shipment — please consult your local agent for the latest schedule.

Cargo Advantages from China

Why Chinese exporters choose Copa Airlines Cargo for Latin America and Caribbean-bound cargo.

For Chinese manufacturers, traders and e-commerce businesses, Copa Airlines Cargo offers a uniquely positioned, comprehensive air freight solution with four distinct advantages.

Hub of the Americas — the most connected cargo gateway in Latin America. Copa Airlines Cargo operates from the Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City — the most strategically located cargo transshipment point in the Western Hemisphere. Located at the geographic centre of the Americas, Tocumen offers unrivalled connectivity between North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Copa's network of over 70 destinations means cargo from China can reach virtually any major market in Latin America through a single hub connection, with efficient transfers and 24/7 operational capability. This hub-and-spoke model provides Chinese exporters with access to the widest coverage of the Latin American market of any carrier in the region.

Dedicated Boeing 737-800BCF freighters with 22-tonne payload capacity. Copa Airlines Cargo operates 2× Boeing 737-800BCF dedicated freighters, each offering 22 tonnes of payload and 5–6 hours of range. The airline's first freighter (HP-1522CMP) — notably the first Boeing 737-800BCF in Latin America — was converted from Copa's own passenger fleet at GAMECO in Guangzhou, China, and entered service on 28 March 2022 with flights to Santo Domingo. The second aircraft (HP-1990W) was added in September 2025, increasing total annual cargo capacity to 50,000 tonnes — a 15% increase over prior levels. These dedicated freighters complement Copa's extensive belly-hold capacity on its fleet of 123 passenger aircraft (47× B737 MAX, 67× B737-800, 9× B737-700), providing flexible options for both large-volume and time-sensitive shipments.

Comprehensive cargo products including pharmaceuticals, perishables and high-value goods. Copa Airlines Cargo offers a full suite of specialised cargo services:
— Pharmaceuticals: Temperature-sensitive handling for medicines and medical supplies with cold-chain compliance
— Perishables: Fresh flowers, fish, seafood and other time-sensitive goods with expedited processing
— Agro-Industrial: Export solutions supporting Central and South American agricultural exports
— High-Value & Electronics: Secure handling for electronics, fashion and high-value shipments
— Express & Courier: Door-to-door service with priority customs clearance
— General Cargo: Competitive rates for standard freight across the Americas

The airline's cargo portfolio is managed by an experienced team under Jaime Álvarez, Senior Director of Cargo and Courier, who has been instrumental in developing Copa's cargo network from Panama to the United States since joining the airline in 1997 and helped establish the cargo terminal at Tocumen International Airport.

Strategic expansion and capacity growth. Copa Airlines Cargo is in a phase of significant growth and investment. The addition of the second 737-800BCF in September 2025 will enable new destinations including Miami (MIA), Port of Spain (POS), Barbados (BGI), Guayaquil (GYE) and San Pedro Sula (SAP), while increasing frequencies on strategic routes such as Bogotá, Mexico's Felipe Ángeles International Airport, Cuba and Costa Rica. Copa projects transporting approximately 50,000 tonnes of cargo annually, optimising its logistics operation from Panama where the Hub of the Americas offers competitive advantages for efficiently connecting the markets of the continent. Copa Airlines has firm orders for 85 additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for delivery between 2026 and 2034, ensuring long-term capacity growth for both passenger and belly-hold cargo operations.

Goodhope Freight consolidates and negotiates on the China side, so exporters benefit from consolidated rates, predictable departures and local Chinese-language support. We work with Copa Airlines Cargo to confirm space on the best available routing for your Latin America and Caribbean-bound shipments.

Booking Guide

How to book Copa Airlines Cargo space from mainland China through Goodhope Freight.

In mainland China, bookings for Copa Airlines Cargo are placed through Goodhope Freight. Goodhope acts as your forwarding agent, confirms space on the best available routing (typically China → Los Angeles or other US gateway → Panama City on Copa Airlines Cargo → final destination), and manages the shipment end to end.

Goodhope Freight Contact

Booking Process

  1. Send a shipping request — provide commodity, gross weight, dimensions, pack count, place of receipt in China, final destination in Latin America or the Caribbean, and ready date.
  2. Space confirmation — Goodhope checks uplift and the optimal routing, then issues a booking confirmation and a quoted rate.
  3. Pick-up & export clearance — Goodhope arranges China pick-up, packing/labelling as needed, and export customs declaration.
  4. Air waybill & flight — the AWB (prefix 230) is issued; cargo moves China → US gateway → Panama City (Copa Airlines Cargo) → final destination.
  5. Track & deliver — monitor with Goodhope's tracking and the operating carrier; Goodhope coordinates arrival and destination handling.

Hub, Network & Special Cargo Capabilities

How Copa Airlines Cargo's Hub of the Americas and specialised services create value for freight from China.

Copa Airlines Cargo is built around a single, strategically positioned hub: Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City — the "Hub of the Americas." From this hub, the airline operates dedicated Boeing 737-800BCF freighters and utilises belly-hold capacity on one of the region's youngest and most modern passenger fleets to serve over 70 destinations across North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Copa Airlines is Panama's flag carrier, a member of the Star Alliance since 2012, and is the leading provider of air passenger and cargo services in Latin America.

Hub of the Americas — the most connected cargo gateway in Latin America. Panama's geographic position at the centre of the Americas makes Tocumen International Airport an ideal transshipment point for cargo moving between North and South America, and between the Atlantic and Pacific. The hub operates 24 hours a day, offering efficient connections and reduced transit times for cargo moving through the Americas. Copa's cargo terminal at Tocumen is equipped to handle general cargo, pharmaceuticals, perishables, high-value goods and courier shipments. The airline's hub-and-spoke model means Chinese exporters can reach virtually any major Latin American or Caribbean market through a single connection at Panama City, with onward distribution provided by Copa's extensive regional network.

Dedicated freighter fleet with modern capabilities. Copa Airlines Cargo operates 2× Boeing 737-800BCF freighters, each offering 22 tonnes payload and 5–6 hours of range. The B737-800BCF is a modern, fuel-efficient freighter converted from passenger configuration with the latest cargo handling technology. The first aircraft (HP-1522CMP) was the first Boeing 737-800BCF in Latin America, converted at GAMECO in Guangzhou, China, and entered service on 28 March 2022. The second aircraft (HP-1990W) joined the fleet in September 2025, bringing total annual cargo capacity to 50,000 tonnes. The airline's dedicated freighters are complemented by belly-hold capacity on 123 passenger aircraft (47× B737 MAX, 67× B737-800, 9× B737-700), providing extensive additional lift across the network.

Comprehensive special cargo capabilities. Copa Airlines Cargo offers extensive special handling services:
— Pharmaceuticals: Temperature-sensitive handling for medicines and medical supplies with cold-chain compliance
— Perishables: Fresh flowers, fish, seafood and other time-sensitive goods with expedited processing and priority boarding
— Agro-Industrial: Export solutions supporting Central and South American agricultural exports, contributing to the economic development of the region
— High-Value & Electronics: Secure handling for electronics, fashion goods and high-value shipments with enhanced security protocols
— Live Animals: Transport of racehorses for equestrian events, pets and other live animals
— Courier & Express: Door-to-door service with priority customs clearance and final-mile delivery

Star Alliance network and interline partnerships. As a member of the Star Alliance since 2012, Copa Airlines Cargo offers access to a global network of partner airlines, extending its reach beyond its own network. This membership provides Chinese exporters with seamless connectivity to destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania through Star Alliance partners. Copa also maintains interline agreements with major carriers, further expanding its cargo reach and providing flexible routing options for China-origin shipments.

Commitment to the Chinese market. Copa Airlines Cargo has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Chinese market. The airline's first dedicated freighter was converted at GAMECO in Guangzhou, China — a facility that is a Boeing partner specialised in freighter conversions. Copa maintains offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong, and Copa Cargo's shopping platforms serve customers in Hong Kong, China and other countries, offering virtual addresses for cross-border e-commerce. The airline also operates passenger services from Shanghai Pudong (PVG) to Panama City, providing belly-hold cargo capacity for China-origin shipments. With projected annual cargo capacity of 50,000 tonnes and firm orders for 85 additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, Copa Airlines Cargo is well-positioned to serve the growing trade between China and Latin America.

Flight schedules and equipment are subject to change without prior notice. Please verify with your booking agent.