Copa Airlines has announced new nonstop service between Monterrey, Mexico, capital of the state of Nuevo Leon, and the Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama, beginning in December. The new four-times-weekly flight will enable passengers from Monterrey to travel to multiple destinations in Latin America, without having to connect through the U.S.

“This new flight is part of Copa Airlines’ commitment to offering passengers increased and enhanced travel options that connect the Americas,” said Joseph Mohan, commercial vice president of Copa Airlines. “Monterrey customers will have immediate access to Copa’s extensive route network, which encompasses 59 destinations in the Americas.”

The new route also provides better scheduling options, enabling passengers to depart Monterrey in the morning and arrive in Central America, the Caribbean and South American countries such as Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela before lunch, or to Southern Cone countries such as Brazil the same day, Mohan added.

The new Panama-Monterrey flights initially will operate four times a week, departing Panama at 6:20 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving in Monterrey at 9:51 p.m.

The return flight departs Monterrey at 5:03 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving in Panama at 10:26 a.m.

Monterrey is the second most important industrial center in Mexico and the third-largest city in the country.  Known as the “Sultan of the North,” Monterrey is home to some of the most important Mexican corporations such as cement manufacturer Cemex, the Cuauhtémoc Montezuma Brewery, and Vitro, a leading glass manufacturer, among others.

By the end of this year, Copa Airlines’ extensive route network will include service to nine new destinations, for a total of 59 destinations in 28 countries on the continent. The airline estimates a capacity increase of 20 percent in available seat miles in 2011, compared to 2010.