PANAMA CITY and BOGOTA, Colombia, Dec 22, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- AeroRepublica, subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE: CPA), today announced the delivery of its first EMBRAER 190 Aircraft. With this delivery AeroRepublica becomes the first airline in the domestic Colombian market to operate this new aircraft.

AeroRepublica's fleet modernization and expansion plan includes firm orders for seven additional EMBRAER 190 aircraft, as well as options for 20 additional aircraft. The modern Embraer 190, with a 106-seat single class configuration, incorporates advanced technological features such as "winglets," efficient and powerful GE CF34 motors, and the latest Honeywell Corporation aeronautics equipment.

The EMBRAER 190s will be utilized to serve AeroRepublica's domestic routes more efficiently, as well as in the development of international markets. They also will play an important role in AeroRepublica's alliance with Copa Airlines in Panama, through the joint expansion of route networks that will provide passengers more destinations and frequencies.

"This new generation aircraft will provide the high level of comfort and dependability that customers require, and will be very efficient in fuel consumption and in general performance," said Roberto Junguito, President, AeroRepublica. "The EMBRAER 190 also offers us the opportunity to balance capacity and demand, which we need as part of our operational and expansion plan."

"The incorporation of the new EMBRAER 190, which will replace AeroRepublica's fleet of MD-80 aircraft, is one of the principal initiatives of the airline's strategic plan," stated Pedro Heilbron, CEO, Copa Holdings S.A. "This aircraft is ideal for this market in terms of capacity and efficiency, and is a truly attractive product for the Colombian traveler and for the entire region."

"Colombia is the third-largest air travel market in Latin America and I am pleased to see our 100-plus seat aircraft operating in the region," said Mauricio Botelho, Embraer Chairman, President and CEO. "Embraer has always recognized the tremendous growth potential in South America and we are honored to have AeroRepublica as the newest member of our family of E-Jet operators."

About Copa Holdings

Copa Holdings, through its Copa Airlines and AeroRepublica operating subsidiaries, is a leading Latin American provider of passenger and cargo service. Copa Airlines currently offers approximately 80 daily scheduled flights to 30 destinations in 20 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. In addition, Copa Airlines provides passengers with access to flights to more than 120 other international destinations through codeshare agreements with Continental Airlines and other airlines. AeroRepublica, the second-largest domestic carrier in Colombia, provides service to 12 cities in Colombia as well as international connectivity with Copa Airlines' Hub of the Americas through daily flights from Medellin and Cartagena.

About Embraer

Embraer (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.) (NYSE: ERJ) (Bovespa: EMBR3) is the world's leading manufacturer of Commercial jets up to 110 seats with 37 years of experience in designing, developing, manufacturing, selling and providing after sales support to aircraft for the Commercial Aviation, Executive Aviation, and Defense and Government segments. With headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, State of Sao Paulo, the Company has offices and customer service bases in the United States, France, Portugal, China and Singapore. Embraer is among Brazil's leading exporting companies. As of September 30, 2006, Embraer had a total workforce of 18,336 people, and its firm order backlog totaled US$13.3 billion.

This release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and expectations, and are not guarantees of future performance. They are based on management's expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. The risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements in this presentation include those described under the caption "Risk Factors" and "Special Note About Forward- Looking Statements" in the Company's registration statement on Form F-1 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. CPA-G

SOURCE Copa Holdings, S.A.

Joseph Putaturo, Copa Holdings, +011-507-304-2677

http://www.copaair.com

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