Last week saw Copa Airlines gain international recognition for its punctuality record and get hit by a block on the company’s flights to Venezuela, stranding sports teams, businessmen, and people seeking medical treatment. and even leading to the cancelation of regional football (soccer)  fixtures.

The Venezuelan action led to the recall of the Panama ambassador and the exit from  Panama of the Venezuelan  ambassador

[caption id="attachment_82458" align="alignleft" width="300"] President Varela and Air China flight crew[/caption]

Meanwhile, the opening of a new air link to Tocumen International Airport got less recognition than it merited. The  Air China inaugural flight from Bejing to Panama arrived at 12,30 pm on Thursday, April 5 a service predicted to give a major fillip to Panama tourism. The plane was met by President Juan Carlos Varela and government officials.