Airport Terminals: Mainstay of Panama Tourism

Airport Terminals: Mainstay of Panama Tourism

María del R. Martínez / The Panama Post


Panama has 14 airport terminals that receive international and domestic travel Airports with capacity to receive aircrafts of 150 passengers are needed

Airport terminals in Panama are among the means that have greatly contributed to the economic development of the country and hence of tourism in Panama. However, experts in the field say that new terminals need to be built in order to serve the travelers more efficiently.
Panama has 14 airport terminals that serve both international and domestic travel (see box: airport terminals).

According to statistics from Tocumen International Airport, in the first half of this year, 1.371,441 passengers went through that air terminal. The figures showed that the number of passengers in transit was 891,573.

In 2008, total passenger traffic reached 3.042,001, of which 1.504,149 were from direct flights.

New airport

In the central area of the territory a new international airport could be built to contribute to the development of the region. Although the exact area is not defined, the project could be done between Buenaventura, in the sector of Farallón (Coclé province) or in Santiago (Veraguas Province).

Zósimo Guardia, former director of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said that building several international airports in the country to support the development of tourism, agribusiness, livestock and other sectors is something that is being considered.

He said that if creating infrastructure and development in a short time is something of consideration, the most ideal place for this project is Río Hato, since it now has a foundation in the runway that supports a maximum weight of aircrafts of up to 676,000 pounds. This means that by giving an asphalt coating to the runway and preparing and enlarging it about 1,500 feet, it can quickly and cheaply become an international airport.

Another advantage of choosing Río Hato, according to Guardia, is that the hotelier and tourism development in that part of the country has made significant progress from Punta Chame to Antón; plus there is electricity, potable water, available staff to create the infrastructure, road connecting with the city of Panama and it´s not necessary to make all the previous studies that an airport would require elsewhere in the country.

If the National Government chooses this place to build the next international airport, both the hotel industry and tourism would benefit, which would encourage investors to create more infrastructures in the interior of the country, said Jorge Loaiza, President of the Panamanian Association of Hotels (Apatel).

He stressed that it would be positive because it would help them to start charter flights and resume beach tourism in a road less traveled, more directly, without having to go through the capital city which takes time away from tourists coming into the country. Lowe says that, for example, the time taken to travel from Panama City to the Decameron Hotel is within the acceptable range (approximately two hours). However, building a new airport would significantly reduce the time it takes a tourist to reach this place.

Guardia also noted that airlines decide to travel to a destination because there is a tourist attraction to take advantage of, or because there is a metropolis with a very important commercial or industrial business.

For this reason we see the development of airports in cities such as Panama, because it has the Canal, the Colón Free Zone is close, the banking center and a number of conditions that promote tourism and business, making it necessary for everyone to come to Panama. Guardia said that to rebuild an international airport in Río Hato, it would be necessary to make an investment of US$ 33 million, and to that number, another US $ 12 million will have to be added to make a tunnel under the runway, so the traffic on the highway would not be interrupted. Also another US$ 3 million will be needed for the relocation of some electric transmission lines that are North of the runway, making a total of US$ 48 million.

Building a new airport would take longer, between five to seven years, and the cost would be of approximately US$ 200 million.

The country currently has as its primary international aerodrome the Tocumen International Airport, located in Panama City. However, there are other airports that receive international flights; one in Bocas del Toro, one in Changuinola, one in Howard and two in David-Chiriquí, because they accept international traffic, have customs, immigration and other convenient facilities.

Airports are needed for mass tourism, with capacity to handle aircrafts of 150 passengers such as Boeing 737-600,or 737-800 Jets such as COPA's airplanes. Recently, the President of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, announced the construction of an international airport in central provinces. The Master Plan of the Tourism Authority of Panama (2007-2020) envisages the construction of several airports, without defining its precise location.

The Tourism Commission of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE) showed their support to Guardia's proposal.

Airlines

According to information from the Tocumen International Airport there are several airlines that offer the service on international flights such as: American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Aires, Avianca, Grupo Taca, Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano and Iberia.

If when visiting Panama you want to learn more about its landscapes, there are several airlines to choose from that will take you to see the most beautiful, fun places filled with adventure, where you can appreciate the beauty of the country and its people

National destinations

Aeroperlas: regional airline that operates over 50 daily flights to 15 domestic destinations and charter flights. It operates services within the TACA Group . Its main base is the International Airport Marco A. Gelabert, with a secondary airport at the Enrique Malek International Airport in the city of David, Chiriquí province.

Operates domestic flights from Panama City to Kuna Yala - San Blas Archipelago - Pinas Bay, Bocas del Toro, Changuinola, Colon, Contadora, David, Jaque, Playon Chico, Enrique Adolfo Jimenez, Corazón de Jesús, Cartí, Porvenir, Mulatupu, Puerto Obaldía, Tubuala, La Palma, El Real, Garachiné, Contadora and Sambú.

Air Panama: is the second largest airline of Panama. It offers charter and scheduled flights to different cities of Panama, as well as regular flights to San José, Costa Rica.

It has domestic flights and three international flights. From David, Panama City and Bocas del Toro to San José - Costa Rica -. Flights from Panama City to David, Bocas del Toro, Changuinola, Islas de las Perlas - Isla Contadora, Islas de San Jose, San Miguel - Bahía Piña, La Palma, El Real, Garachinú, Sambú, Islas de San Blas - Kuna Yala -, El Porvenir, Cartí, Río Sidra, Corazón de Jesús, Achutupo, Mamitupo, Playon Chico, Tupile, Mulatupo, Ogobsucum, Tubala, Chitré and Pedasí.

Air Terminals

- Bocas del Toro-Bocas del Toro
- Changuinola-Bocas del Toro
- Chitré, Herrera
- El Porvenir, Kuna Yala
- Enrique Jiménez-Colón
- Enrique Malek Chiriquí
- Jaqué, Darién
- La Palma, Darién
- Marcos A. Gelabert-Panama
- Penonomé-Coclé
- Puerto Obaldía-Kuna Yala
- Santiago, Veraguas
- Wannukandi -
- Río Hato, Coclé
Source: Civil Aviation Authority.