The inaugural nonstop flight from Denver to Panama City carried Denver officials and business leaders, including representatives from Smashburger, which has locations in Panama and Costa Rica. Denver hopes the new flight will increase travel between the two cities as passengers can connect to over 40 other Central and South American cities through Copa Airlines. The daily flight will operate most months and the group on the first flight toured the Panama Canal and met with local business leaders after being greeted at the airport. Smashburger looks to expand to at least five locations in Panama in the next few years after finding success in Costa Rica.

2.  The inaugural nonstop United Airlines flight from
Denver to Panama City, Panama, in early December
carried the mayor of Denver and a number of
Colorado tourism, sports, and business leaders,
including representatives from Consumer Capital
Partners. The company, which owns the Smashburger
restaurant chain, has locations in Panama and
neighboring Costa Rica.
Denver city leaders hope that the new flight will open
up travel between Denver and Latin America, as
passengers can travel on to more than 40 South and
Central American cities from Panama on Copa
Airlines, which has a partnership with United.

3.  The flight from Denver will run daily most
months of the year.
The Denver group on the first flight to Panama
City included 30 people, who were greeted at
Tocumen Airport by a welcome party. The
group then toured the Panama Canal and met
with members of the local chamber of
commerce.
Smashburger established ties with Panama
following a successful opening in Costa Rica in
late 2012. The chain plans to open at least five
restaurants in Panama in the next few years.