Copa Airlines presents aircraft with design alluding to the Biomuseum

Copa Airlines and Biomuseum presented today the aircraft that will bear Panama’s name across the sky: a Boeing 737-800 Next Generation airplane by Copa, whose exterior painting displays a design alluding to the Biomuseum, designed by Frank Gehry.

- The fuselage of the plane, a Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft, depicts an image representing the Biomuseum, Frank Gehry’s first building in Latin America.

- The aircraft will carry the symbol of this architectural gem, which will tell the story of the impact that the rise of the Panamanian Isthmus has had on global biodiversity, to 64 destinations in 29 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

The design is inspired by the dynamic and colorful ceilings of the Biomuseum and represents Panama’s biological diversity and cultural multiplicity. Through this initiative, the plane will carry the emblem of the Biomuseum across the American continent, transmitting the message of the important influence of the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama on the planet’s natural history.

The sketch embodied on the aircraft was produced by the project’s graphic designer, Joyce Shin.

The presentation of the new aircraft took place at the North Pier of the Tocumen International Airport, and in attendance were government officials, executives of the Panamanian airline and the board of directors for Amador Foundation, the organization that manages the Biomuseum. The ceremony was also attended by representatives of the national tourism sector, who witnessed the unveiling of the aircraft that will internationally project the value of Panama’s natural heritage to the over 6 million passengers who annually travel with Copa Airlines.

Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines, stated that, “As the official airline of the museum, it gives us great honor to add to our fleet this new aircraft, which will promote Panama’s biological wealth across the entire continent.”

“The design embodied in this aircraft will not only share the pride that all Panamanians feel for their country's rich natural history, but it will also serve as an invitation to the world traveler to visit Panama, an ideal and privileged center for the exploration, knowledge and protection of biodiversity,” Heilbron added.

“At Biomuseum, we will continue stimulating Panamanians’ awareness of this biodiversity and teaching them the fundamental value that this project is already generating. The aim of this project is to provide an experience that has an impact, while educating people about the vast biodiversity that exists in Panama, as a result of the emergence of the Isthmus,” commented Dr. Alejandro Ferrer, President of the Amador Foundation.

Copa Airlines is additionally the sponsor of the ‘human footprint’ exhibit, one of the eight galleries that make up the Biomuseum’s permanent exhibition, which will recount the history of human migration across the isthmus, which served as a vital bridge for exchange between the Americas. This vision of the country’s important role is strengthened by the operation of Copa Airlines, which makes use of Panama’s strategic geographical position to enhance the connectivity of the continent through its Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport.