By the Caribbean Journal staff

Panama-based Copa Airlines is ramping up its flight service to Mexico, the company announced.

Copa will be launching new flights between Panama City and Puerto Vallarta beginning Dec. 16.

Puerto Vallarta, set in the heart of the Riviera Nayarit, will become the carrier’s fifth destination in Mexico.

Copa will operating the service with two weekly flights.

“Copa Airlines continues to reaffirm its confidence in Mexico and support the development of its commercial and tourism sectors by inaugurating a fifth local destination,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines. “We are pleased to announce this new route to Puerto Vallarta, an amazing destination that up until now did not have a direct connection with the rest of the Americas.”

The flights will operate on Thursdays and Sundays on Boeing 737-700 aircraft.

It’s the latest expansion for Copa, which also recently announced plans to launch new service to Barbados this summer.

— CJ