Clear At Panama City Airport: What You Need To Know

There are two airports that could be referred to as Panama City Airport: Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama, and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City, Florida. Tocumen International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Panama and all of Central America, accommodating over 10 million passengers per year. It is serviced by many big-name airlines and connected to cities all over the world. Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, on the other hand, is the only airport in the Panama City, Florida area, with the airport code ECP. This airport offers convenient ground transportation options and is located near several hotels. Both airports have duty-free shopping, restaurants, and accessible facilities. However, neither airport currently has CLEAR available.

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, Panama City, FL, does not have CLEAR

CLEAR is not currently available at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, Panama City, FL (airport code ECP). This airport is the only airport in the Panama City area.

While CLEAR is not available at this airport, there are other services that can help speed up your journey. TSA PreCheck, for example, can be done online, and there is a Port of Panama City at the foot of the Hathaway Bridge, directly across from the Gulf Coast State College, where you can have a background check and get fingerprinted.

If you have a long wait at the airport and want to do some shopping in Panama City, the tourism authority offers free shuttle services to and from the Metromall Shopping Mall, which is located approximately 15 minutes from the airport. Buses depart Monday to Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

There are also plenty of ground transportation options available at the airport, including rental car counters, which remain open 30 minutes after the arrival of the last flight. If you're looking for a more economical option to get to Panama City from the airport, you can use the MiBus bus services. A prepaid card must be purchased before leaving the airport for a single fare of $0.25 to any destination.

For any other questions, you can contact the Airport Administration Office, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 850-636-8950, ext. 201, or the Airport Police at 850-769-6033, who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Tocumen International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Panama

Tocumen International Airport, located 24 km (14.9 miles) northeast of Panama City, is the largest and busiest airport in Panama. With a long history dating back to its inauguration in 1947, the airport has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate the growing demand for air travel in the country. Today, Tocumen International Airport serves as a vital aviation hub, connecting South America, the Caribbean, and North America.

The airport boasts two landing runways capable of accommodating the largest commercial aircraft in operation today. The main runway, measuring 3,050 m × 45 m (10,007 ft × 148 ft), primarily serves commercial flights, while the original runway is utilized for cargo, private flights, and supplementary capacity during peak traffic periods. Tocumen International Airport operates 24 hours a day and features two terminals: Terminal 1, the oldest, catering mostly to international flights, and Terminal 2, a modern addition, enhancing passenger capacity and comfort.

A wide range of airlines operate out of Tocumen International Airport, including Copa Airlines, which has a main hub at the airport. The airport also serves as a key connection point for travellers, with flights to destinations in America, Europe, and the Caribbean. In 2024, Tocumen International Airport handled 19.2 million passengers, underscoring its significance as Panama's primary aviation gateway.

The airport has not escaped the attention of those seeking improvement and modernization. In 2003, a new terminal management platform was established, leading to the creation of Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen, S.A. (Tocumen, S.A.), which now manages the terminal. This was followed by a significant expansion and renovation program initiated in 2006, which saw the enlargement of the main passenger terminal, the addition of new boarding gates, and the acquisition of modern boarding bridges.

Tocumen International Airport is easily accessible from Panama City via public transport, with MiBus offering an economical travel option to and from the airport. The airport also provides convenient parking options, with secure and accessible areas for both short and long-term stays, located just a short walk from the terminals.

It takes around 30 minutes to clear immigration and customs at Tocumen

The time taken to clear immigration and customs at Tocumen International Airport (PTY), Panama City's main airport, can vary. On average, it takes around 30 minutes to 45 minutes to clear immigration and customs at Tocumen. However, some travellers have reported faster times of about 10 minutes.

Several factors can influence the time taken, such as the number of arriving flights, your seat on the plane, your position in the immigration line, and the efficiency of the baggage handling and customs inspection processes. The time of day and day of the week can also impact your travel time to and from the airport. For example, it can take longer during weekday rush hours or on Saturdays between 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

Tocumen International Airport is a hub for Copa Airlines and serves various international airlines. It is one of the few airports in the region with two landing runways, accommodating some of the largest commercial aircraft. The airport has only one terminal, making navigation relatively straightforward. Overhead signs in both English and Spanish guide passengers to their destinations.

When arriving at Tocumen, passengers first proceed through immigration and then exit the airport. The immigration area is located on the lower level, accessible by stairs or elevator. After clearing immigration, passengers collect their baggage and pass through customs, where their bags go through X-ray machines.

The airport has a left-luggage service in the customs area

Panama City has one airport in the area, the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, with the airport code ECP. This airport does not currently have CLEAR available. However, it does offer a left-luggage service in the customs area.

The airport is located at 6300 West Bay Pkwy, Panama City, FL 32409. It is open 24 hours a day, with some food outlets and duty-free stores operating during the night. The airport has a range of facilities, including banking services, currency exchange offices, ATMs, and accessible elevators and restrooms. There is also a Hilton Garden Inn located just off the entrance road to the airport, with other hotel options available within a 20-minute drive.

Panama City International Airport is well-connected globally and is serviced by many major airlines. It is the largest and busiest airport in Panama and Central America, accommodating over 10 million passengers annually. The airport has two terminals connected by a pedestrian corridor and offers free shuttle services to the nearby Metromall Shopping Mall.

The fastest time to clear immigration and customs at Tocumen International Airport is around 30 minutes, but this can vary depending on various factors such as the number of arriving flights, baggage handling, and customs line length. It takes about 30 minutes to travel from Tocumen to Albrook, the domestic airport in Panama City.

The airport operates 24 hours a day, with some food outlets available during the night

Panama City International Airport, also known as Tocumen International Airport, is the largest and busiest airport in Panama and all of Central America. The airport operates 24 hours a day, with some food outlets available during the night, along with Duty-Free stores, car rental counters, and VIP lounges. The airport is conveniently located just a half-hour drive from downtown Panama City, making it easily accessible for travellers.

While some outlets remain open throughout the night, most stores at the airport typically operate from 5:30 am to 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm. During the high tourist season, travellers can expect some outlets to operate around the clock. The airport offers a range of shopping options, including souvenir shops, clothing outlets, cosmetics, liquor, and chocolate shops.

For those with a long layover or waiting time, the tourism authority provides a convenient shuttle service to and from the Metromall Shopping Mall. This service operates from Monday to Friday between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm and on Sundays from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. It is important to note that the airport is a smoke-free zone, with no designated smoking areas.

In terms of transportation, the airport provides accessible options such as the MiBus bus service, with a single fare of USD0.25 to any destination. Alternatively, travellers can opt for the metro, accessible by exiting from the Arrivals level, for a slightly higher fare of USD0.35. The airport also offers car rental services, with counters remaining open for 30 minutes after the arrival of the last flight.

Panama City International Airport is well-equipped to handle various traveller needs. It features a left-luggage service, banking services, foreign currency exchange outlets, and accessible facilities for passengers with reduced mobility. The airport is connected to various destinations worldwide and is serviced by prominent airlines, making it a convenient gateway to Central and South America.

Frequently asked questions