Avis Budget Group Named Car Rental Provider for Copa Airlines

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 06, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:CAR) and Copa Airlines, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE:CPA) and member of the Star Alliance global airline network, today announced the signing of a new partnership agreement.

As part of the multi-year agreement, Avis Car Rental and Budget Car Rental have been named car rental partners for Copa Airlines’ ConnectMiles loyalty program. Members of ConnectMiles can now save money on Avis and Budget rentals around the globe and earn 100 miles per day when they rent an Avis or Budget vehicle. In addition, Avis and Budget will promote products, services and money-saving offers in marketing channels for ConnectMiles members, including emails, e-statements, the airline’s in-flight magazine and online.

“Copa Airlines is well-established and highly respected across Latin America,” said Stephen Wright, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Latin America/Asia-Pacific, Avis Budget Group. “We’re delighted to team up with Copa Airlines and introduce their customers to Avis’ premium service and the great value of Budget, while rewarding ConnectMiles members with miles for their business. This new partnership will help us generate incremental rentals across the region.”

“We are pleased to be adding Avis and Budget as partners in the ConnectMiles program,” said Russ Hinckley, vice president of loyalty, Copa Airlines. “With their global coverage and excellent service, our members will enjoy great rental experiences.”

About Avis Budget Group
Avis Budget Group, Inc. is a leading global provider of vehicle rental services, both through its Avis and Budget brands, which have more than 10,000 rental locations in approximately 175 countries around the world, and through its Zipcar brand, which is the world’s leading car sharing network, with more than 950,000 members. Avis Budget Group operates most of its car rental offices in North America, Europe and Australia directly, and operates primarily through licensees in other parts of the world. Avis Budget Group has approximately 30,000 employees and is headquartered in Parsippany, N.J. More information is available at www.avisbudgetgroup.com.

About Copa Holdings, S.A
Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia, subsidiaries of Copa Holdings, are leading Latin American providers of passenger and cargo services. The airlines offer service to 73 destinations in 31 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. During Copa Airlines’ more than 65 years of uninterrupted operations, it has transformed the Hub of the Americas in Panama into the leading hub on the continent. Copa operates one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the industry, consisting of 100 aircraft: 14 Boeing 737-700 Next-Generation, 63 Boeing 737-800 Next-Generation and 23 Embraer-190, and has an on-time performance of 91 percent, one of the best in the industry. In the first half of 2015, FlightStats recognized Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia as the most on-time airlines in Latin America, and Skytrax named Copa “Best Regional Airline in Central America and the Caribbean.” Copa is a member of Star Alliance, established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, and which currently offers more than 18,500 daily flights to 1,330 destinations in 192 countries. To make reservations, select seats, create a trip log, check-in for flights, print boarding passes or purchase tickets through secure online transactions in seven different currencies, visit www.copa.com.

Contact:       
Alice Pereira
(973) 496-3916                                                                           
[email protected]