COPA AIRLINES is looking at a big expansion as it enters the bidding for a  hook up with   Colombian carrier Avianca.

Avianca, with headquarters in Bogota, is looking for an international partner to help it grow. The airline is controlled by the brothers Aleman and José Efromovich, who also control Avianca Brazil.

The airline is also considering offers from Delta Air Lines and United Continental.

Avianca Holdings offers the  bidders a potential point of entry to markets such as Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica and Ecuador.

It would also allow Delta and United to better compete in South America with American Airlines.

Avianca, with a market value of $851.1 million, transported 61 percent of the 15 million passengers in Colombia as of July.