COPA Airlines it reached a direct agreement with the union representing  ground workers of the airline,  less than a day after the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development of Panama (Mitradel)  had declared mandatory arbitration. " The new collective agreement between Copa and the National Trade Union of Aviation and related  Workers (SIELAS) governs the period 2017-2021.

The airline said that its "willingness to sign a direct agreement, instead of arbitration, is an act of good faith that sought to guarantee the best benefits for staff and make the increases effective before the end of the year."

"Likewise, with this agreement, we can continue to focus on keeping Copa Airlines as a solid and stable company for all our employees and continue contributing in an important way to the welfare and development of the country," the company said.