Ruth Haines
Panama City has several airports, including Tocumen International Airport, which is the major international airport serving Panama City, the country's capital. Tocumen International Airport is one of the few airports in the region with two runways capable of handling the largest commercial aircraft in operation today. The airport was first established in 1947 and has been expanded and renovated over the years to accommodate growing demand. Another airport serving Panama City is the Panama City–Bay County International Airport, which was previously located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of the city in Bay County, Florida. However, as of May 22, 2010, all airline services were moved to the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Tocumen International Airport |
| Location | 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Panama City, Panama |
| Year Established | 1947 |
| Area | 720 ha (1,800 acres) |
| Height Above Sea Level | 126 ft (38 m) |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Runway Size | 3,050 m × 45 m (10,007 ft × 148 ft) |
| Number of Landing Gates | 22 |
| Number of Boarding Bridges | 22 new, 14 old |
| Terminal Size | 20,830 m2 (224,200 sq ft) |
| Number of Daily Flights | 2-3 |
| Destinations | Every major town and city in Panama, including David, Chiriqui |
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What You'll Learn
- Panama City Tocumen International Airport is the largest airport in Panama City
- Tocumen International Airport has two runways able to serve the largest commercial aircraft
- Tocumen International Airport was inaugurated in 1947 and expanded in 1971
- Panama City Bay County International Airport closed in 2010
- Panama City's second-largest airport is Albrook International Airport
Panama City Tocumen International Airport is the largest airport in Panama City
The airport has undergone several name changes and renovations over the years. The original administrative building/passenger terminal, inaugurated in 1954, was built on an area of 720 hectares (1,800 acres) and was 126 feet (38 meters) above sea level. However, due to the increasing demand for air operations in Panama, this terminal eventually became too small. Work on new buildings began in 1971, and the new terminal opened on August 15, 1978, with operations commencing on September 5. The airport was renamed Omar Torrijos International Airport in 1981 by the military government but reverted to its original name in 1989 after the fall of the Panamanian dictatorship.
Tocumen International Airport has continued to expand and modernize to accommodate growing air traffic. In 2006, a major expansion and renovation program was initiated, expanding the main passenger terminal by 20,830 square meters (224,200 square feet) and constructing new boarding gates. The airport also acquired new boarding bridges, replacing the oldest ones.
Tocumen International Airport offers flights from over 20 national and international airlines and provides various transportation options for passengers, including official taxis, ride-sharing apps, and public transport. It is considered Panama's most important airport and plays a crucial role in the country's transit system.
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Tocumen International Airport has two runways able to serve the largest commercial aircraft
Tocumen International Airport is the primary international airport serving Panama City, the capital of Panama. It is one of the few airports in the region with two runways able to serve the largest commercial aircraft. The airport serves as the home base for Copa Airlines and is a regional hub to and from the Caribbean, South, North, and Central America. It also features routes to some European cities and cargo flights to Qatar.
The airport was inaugurated on June 1, 1947, by President Enrique Adolfo Jiménez, and airport operations began before construction was completed. The original terminal, built on an area of 720 hectares (1,800 acres), became too small to handle the growing demand for air operations. Work on a new terminal began in 1971, and the new terminal opened on August 15, 1978, with operations commencing on September 5. The airport's name was changed in 1981 to Omar Torrijos International Airport but reverted to its original name in 1989 after the fall of the Panamanian dictatorship.
Tocumen International Airport has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate increasing air traffic. In 2006, a major expansion program resulted in a 20,830-square-meter expansion of the main passenger terminal, the construction of new boarding gates, and the acquisition of new boarding bridges. The airport is managed by Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen, S.A. (Tocumen, S.A.), which was created through a regulatory framework established in 2003 to oversee the management of airports and landing strips in Panama.
With its two runways and modern facilities, Tocumen International Airport plays a crucial role in connecting Panama City to the world, facilitating both passenger and cargo transportation on a global scale.
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Tocumen International Airport was inaugurated in 1947 and expanded in 1971
Tocumen International Airport is the primary international airport serving Panama City, the capital of Panama. The airport was inaugurated on 1 June 1947 by President Enrique Adolfo Jiménez, and airport operations began before the construction works were completed. The administrative building/passenger terminal was inaugurated seven years later, during the administration of Colonel José Antonio Remón Cantera. The old airport building, which is currently used as a cargo terminal, was built on an area of 720 hectares (1,800 acres) and was 126 feet (38 metres) above sea level.
Over time, due to Panama's role as a country of transit, the terminal became too small to meet the growing demand for air operations. This prompted the aeronautical authorities to consider expanding the airport. Work on the new buildings began in 1971, and the bed of the Tocumen River was diverted to construct the new terminal building. The airport is currently undergoing expansion, with plans to upgrade runways and rebuild the cargo terminal.
Tocumen International Airport is located 24 kilometres east of Panama City and is accessible via the Domingo Diaz Avenue and the South Corridor. The airport serves as the home base for Copa Airlines and functions as a regional hub for various commercial and cargo airlines, connecting Panama to the Caribbean, South, North, and Central America. Additionally, the airport offers direct flights to major European cities such as Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Lisbon, and Madrid.
The airport has undergone significant expansion and renovation programmes, including the expansion of the main passenger terminal by 20,830 square metres (224,200 square feet) at a cost of approximately $21 million. Tocumen Airport administration has also acquired new boarding bridges and replaced older ones, increasing the total number of boarding gates to 28. The airport features VIP lounges, such as the Copa Club and The Lounge Panama, operated by the Global Lounge Network.
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Panama City Bay County International Airport closed in 2010
Panama City Bay County International Airport (IATA: PFN, ICAO: KPFN, FAA LID: PFN) was a public airport 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Panama City, in Bay County, Florida. The airport was owned and operated by the Panama City–Bay County Airport and Industrial District.
By the late 1990s, it was clear that the airport was reaching the end of its useful life. The runways were very short by modern standards, and there was no room to expand them without extending them into nearby St. Andrews Bay or residential neighbourhoods.
In 2001, the airport authority received tentative approval to build a new airport in northwestern Bay County. The relocation of the airport was controversial, with a majority of voters in a 2004 referendum voting against the plan. However, the county commission chose to proceed with the relocation and construction of a new airport, and the closure of Panama City Bay County International Airport.
On May 22, 2010, all airline services moved to the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, with flights operated by Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines. The old airfield remained open to general aviation aircraft until October 1, 2010. The grounds of the former airport will eventually be turned over to LUK-MB1 LLC, which plans to remove the runways and build homes, shops, walking trails, and a marina.
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Panama City's second-largest airport is Albrook International Airport
Albrook International Airport is not to be confused with Tocumen International Airport (PTY), which is the largest and busiest airport in Panama and Central America. Tocumen International Airport is located about 30 minutes from Panama City's downtown centre and offers flights to more than 65 cities in America and Europe. The airport is also known for its connections between the Caribbean, South America, North America, and Central America.
In addition to these two major airports, Panama City also had another international airport in the past. The Panama City–Bay County International Airport (PFN) was a public airport located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Panama City, in Bay County, Florida. However, in 2010, all airline services moved to the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, and the grounds of the former airport are planned to be redeveloped for residential and commercial use.
Panama has a significant number of airports, with over 100 airports for domestic flights, making it the country with the most private airstrips per square mile globally. This extensive network of airports and airstrips facilitates travel within the country, allowing easy access to remote interior regions and beach towns.
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Frequently asked questions
Panama City Tocumen International Airport is the major international airport serving Panama's capital, Panama City. It is one of the few airports in the region with two runways that can serve the largest commercial aircraft. The airport has undergone several expansion projects, including a $21 million expansion in 2006 and an $85 million expansion in 2014.
Tocumen International Airport was inaugurated in 1947, and airport operations began before the construction was completed. The original airport building, which is now used as a cargo terminal, was built on an area of 720 hectares (1,800 acres). A new terminal was constructed in 1971 to meet the growing demand for air operations. The airport has continued to expand and modernize over the years to accommodate increasing air traffic.
Panama City Tocumen International Airport serves as a hub for several commercial and cargo airlines. It offers daily flights to major towns and cities in Panama, as well as destinations in North America, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Some of the airlines that have operated at the airport include Emirates, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and AirPanama.
Yes, there are several other airports in and around Panama City. These include Gelabert International Airport (also known as Albrook International Airport), Enrique Malek International Airport, and Bocas del Toro "Isla Colón" International Airport. Additionally, Panama City previously had another international airport, known as Panama City–Bay County International Airport, which was replaced by the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in 2010.
