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.

Journey on Rails Panama Canal Train

Journey on Rails

Minerva Bethancourth / The Panama Post


Train tour, a tourist offer In 2001, passengers´ transportation began

Starting from the main office of the Panama Canal Railway Company, located in the Corozal area, the journey begins at 7:15 a.m. to the Atlantic coast in the province of Colón. The trip takes 50 minutes.
On the left side of the train, the tour allows the observation of Panama´s thick vegetation, birds and some container ships transiting the inter-oceanic Canal.

On the other side, colored houses begin to blur, which initially housed the workers of the Panama Canal, and contrast with the predominantly green color of the area and the Golf Course of the Summit Golf & Resort Hotel.


Inside the train we hear different accents, which are interwoven on a sunny morning, giving the impression of an unexpected summer in the middle of the winter season.

The laughter of some French tourists interrupts the reading of an Asian merchant. They celebrate the occurrence of their tour guide, who as a joke tells them that traveling by train is the most luxurious way to see crocodiles and snakes.
In addition to tourists who are nature lovers, businessmen and women are part of the train passengers who talk about business or review the day's news, using the remaining minutes before reaching the final destination.

Michel Uzbanik, French tourist, said that he has been doing tours through several Central American countries such as Nicaragua and Costa Rica, where he practiced canopy, hiking and visited some volcanoes.

A new option

The train ride is a new tourist offer enabled by the Panama Canal Railway Company in June 2001 when it began to transport passengers.
However, the main company's activity is the transportation of cargo from the ports of San Cristóbal and Balboa.

The cost of the train ride is US $22 for adults, US $10 for children and US $15 for retirees. The trips take place only on weekdays.

There are also monthly contract packages for executives for US $680.

Gabriel González, tourist guide, said that most tourists are Europeans, mainly French, and American

Tourism companies have put together a package that includes shopping in the Colón Free Zone, Gatún Lake visits, which is vital for the functioning of the Panama Canal and also to Portobelo, one of the most important towns in the Colonial Era. All this to complement the train ride and be able to return to it at 5:15 p.m.

Traveling by train is in high demand for the month of September when the cruise season starts. And it is precisely when passengers disembark at the 2000 Colón Cruise Port, in the Gatún Yacht Club or at Port 6 in Cristóbal. If you have acquired the services of a travel agent, you are offered City Tours, which include shopping, a visit to the Miraflores locks of the Canal and the Amador Causeway.

The train offers all the facilities, it has 25 cars, and it can even be booked in advance for trips, or enabled for a romantic dinner or for international delegations.

One of the hostesses of the train, Mayling Castillo, said that during the inauguration of the new government, they were visited by various personalities. One of them was the Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, who along with his delegation, enjoyed a train ride.

Also, the train has been boarded by sports stars such as the Panamanian Rod Carew, whose name is immortalized in the Hall of Fame; there is even a locomotive that bears his name. Perhaps this way a singular fact has been materialized, because the former major league player from the United States was born on a train, his mother was going to the hospital to give birth, but the great Carew did not wait to get to the hospital to open his eyes and did it on board of a train.

Panama looking to Attract Idled Ships

Panama looking to Attract Idled Ships

Story by La Prensa

Panama is looking to expand services to attract more idled ships to its mooring fields.

Panama is looking to set up anchorages for idled ships to take advantage of the slowdown in cargo traffic.

Authorities said that creating an anchorage for these ships would create jobs providing services such as food delivery for crew members who have to stay on board to watch the vessel.

The Chamber of Shipping of Panama has presented a proposal to the Panama Maritime Authority which would establish an anchorage on the Pacific side.

Panama's maritime authorities said that other countries, such as the Philippines, have already taken steps to exploit the market that has been created by the global recession. Shipping companies need to find a place where their vessels can be moored until they are needed again. An important aspect to an anchorage is that it must have access to services the ships require.

Panama News

Panama: Calls made for Corruption Investigation

Story La Prensa

Aníbal Culiolis, secretary general of the Partido Popular, called for an investigation to be opened by the Public Ministry into allegations that former President Mireya Moscoso may have been involved in granting sweetheart deals to a gaming company that had connections to prominent politicians.

"Any act of illicit enrichment or corruption must be investigated," Cuñiolis said. "Irregularities in the management of public affairs can not go unnoticed."

Culiolis was referring to the case involving Silver Cup Gaming, which received licenses to operate several sports books and slot machine parlors in the country, apparently without paying any of the required fees. CIRSA, Silver Cup's parent company, later transferred ownership of 50 percent of Silver Cup to five Panama shell companies, many of which have ties to prominent politicians who were in power when the licenses were granted.

National Assembly President José Luis Varela also called for an investigation into the matter.

"We have to look in depth to see what has gone wrong in different governments," Varela said.



Users of Colón Free Zone Plan Tax Protest

Story La Prensa

The Users Association of the Colón Free Zone have announced a massive shutdown of companies operating in the area as a protest against the intention of President Ricardo Martinelli to raise taxes of firms doing business there.

Giovanni Ferrari, president of Users Association, said that the protest will take place Wednesday, and will bring to a halt the work of more than 2,600 companies that are located in the zone.
The action is being supported by the Coordinators of Freight Transport from Colón, whose leaders met with Ferrari Monday to discuss the issue.
Union head Oscar Grenald said that the protest is being supported because the tax proposal "will hurt the transport industry both directly and indirectly."

The Colón Chamber of Commerce has also joined the initiative.

Its president, George Ng, said the actions taken by the Users Association should be supported because the Free Zone is a "fundamental element" of the national economy.

The businesses within the Colón Free Zone employ about 30,000 people and generate sales of between $40 million and $50 million daily, according to the records of the Users Association.
Indigenous Chief Files Suit Against Former Health Director
The chief of the Ngäbe Buglé community of Nedrini, Rogelio Moreno, filed a complaint against Dr. Guillermo Guerra, former director of the Ngäbe Buglé Health Program, who served during the Martin Torrijos administration at its headquarters in San Félix.
Moreno, who was accompanied by President of the General Congress of Indigenous Peoples Mario Rodríguez presented the suit before the current Health Minister, Franklin Vergara and Comptroller Carlos Vallarino, calling for an investigation and audit into the program's management.
Moreno argued that doctors were paid $60,000 a month to provide 24-hour medical attention in health centers within the Ngäbe Buglé Comarca. However, Moreno said that these shifts were never followed through with, and patients requiring surgery were either transferred to a hospital in San Félix or in David, Chiriquí, since doctors refused to perform the work for which they were paid.
Additionally, the program allowed staff technicians to collect a 40 percent bonus for working at the Ministry of Health regional headquarters in San Felix, which Moreno considered an unjustified expenditure of funds intended to improve health care within one of the country's most impoverished regions.
And financial mismanagement was just part of Moreno's complaint. In a side issue, he claimed that program directors signed off on the purchase of six solar panels, purchased at $4, 662 each, only to be shelved and never used.

Zelaya in Washington Today Zelaya in Washington Today

Zelaya in Washington Today
Zelaya in Washington Today

By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services

A senior U.S. State Department official says ousted Honduran President José Manuel Zelaya will meet in Washington today with members of the Organization of American States.

The official said Monday that Zelaya will meet with Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza and permanent representatives of the Organization of American States, and hold talks later in the week with U.S. officials, to discuss the political crisis stemming from his removal.

Zelaya's trip to Washington follows recent contacts between the State Department and a visiting delegation representing the interim Honduran government.

The State Department official said the delegation is waiting to find out whether the interim government will change its hardline stance against a Costa Rica-brokered plan that would allow Zelaya to return to Honduras and complete his term.

The interim government of President Roberto Micheletti recently proposed handing power to a third party, Supreme Court President Jorge Rivera Aviles.

Last week, an Organization of American States delegation spent two days in Honduras but failed to persuade the caretaker government to accept the plan that would bring back Zelaya, who was ousted in a June 28 coup. Foreign ministers from seven nations traveled to Honduras, accompanied by Insulza.

Micheletti's interim government says Zelaya was deposed because he was trying to change the constitution illegally to extend his term in office.

The State Department says the Obama administration still intends to make a formal determination that Zelaya's overthrow was a coup. Such action means that a suspension of most U.S. aid to the Central American country would become permanent. The determination was to have been made last week.

The official said talks with the two sides in the dispute is a factor in the delay. The official said this is an inter-agency decision "that everybody has to be comfortable with