Copa Airlines has been named "Mexico & Central America's Leading Airline 2011" by World Travel Awards. This is the second consecutive year the airline has won this important recognition. Three other Central American and Mexican airlines also were nominated for the award.

"We are very pleased to receive the World Travel Award honor, which reflects Copa Airlines' focus on customer service and operational excellence across our extensive route network throughout the Americas," said Pedro Heilbron, CEO, Copa Airlines. "We congratulate our more than 6,000 co-workers throughout the Americas whose work made this award possible."

The World Travel Awards began in 1993 to acknowledge and recognize excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry. Votes are cast by 183,000 travel professionals, including travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries across the globe, as well as the traveling public.

Judging criteria include overall performance, product development, innovation, creativity and customer satisfaction.