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Tocumen International Airport (IATA: PTY) is located in Panama City, Panama, and serves the city with domestic and international flights. The airport is about 13 miles from Panama City and is located 24km (14.9 miles) northeast of the city. It is also a connection point between South America, the Caribbean, North America, and Central America.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Tocumen International Airport |
| Airport code | PTY/MPTO |
| Location | 24 km (14.9 miles) northeast of Panama City |
| Year of inauguration | 1947 |
| Area | 720 ha (1,800 acres) |
| Height above sea level | 126 ft (38 m) |
| Number of terminals | 2 |
| Number of runways | 2 |
| Main airlines | Copa Airlines |
| Number of passengers in 2024 | 19.2 million |
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What You'll Learn
Tocumen International Airport
The airport offers several transport options, including official taxis and transport applications such as Uber and InDriver. The MiBus is the most economical public transport option from the airport to different points in the city. The Tocumen International Airport operates flights from more than 20 national and international airlines, connecting Panama with destinations in America, Europe, and the Caribbean. It is the main hub of Copa Airlines and a key point for connections in the region.
The airport was inaugurated on June 1, 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 being used as a cargo terminal, was built on an area of 720 ha (1,800 acres) and was 126 ft (38 m) above sea level. As time passed, and due to Panama's role as a country of transit, that terminal became too small to attend to the growing demand for air operations. These circumstances compelled the aeronautical authorities at the time to consider expanding the airport. Work on the new buildings began in 1971. The bed of the Tocumen river was diverted to construct the new terminal building. The terminal opened on August 15, 1978, and operations began on September 5.
The name of the airport was changed in 1981 by the military government to Omar Torrijos International Airport, in honor of the Panamanian leader who died on July 31, 1981. After the fall of the dictatorship of Panama by the U.S. invasion of 1989, when the airport was seized by 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers, the original name was reestablished. The original runway (03L/21R) is mainly used for cargo and private flights, but also as a supplement to the primary runway during peak traffic periods. The main runway (03R/21L) is 3,050 m × 45 m (10,007 ft × 148 ft) and is used primarily for commercial flights.
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Location and distance from Panama City
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is located in Panama, serving Panama City with domestic and international flights. It is also a connection point between South America, the Caribbean, and North America. The airport is located 24 kilometres (14.9 miles) northeast of Panama City.
There are several transport options available to get from Tocumen International Airport to Panama City, including official taxis and transport applications such as Uber and InDriver. The nearest metro station is a few minutes' walk from Terminal 2, connecting with Line 1 at the San Miguelito station. The MiBus is the most economical public transport option, offering regular routes with strategic stops. It is ideal for travellers with little luggage looking to save on transfers.
The road distance between the airport and the city is approximately 13 miles, and it takes about 16 minutes to drive. The cheapest way to get from the airport to the city costs around $3, while the quickest way takes just 16 minutes. There is no direct bus from the airport to Panama City; however, there are services departing from Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen - Terminal 2 and arriving at Punta Paitilla via Torremolino. The journey, including transfers, takes about 1 hour.
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Transport options to and from the airport
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is located in Panama, 24 kilometres from Panama City. It is the country's main international hub and one of the busiest airports in Central America. The airport offers several transport options to and from the airport, including taxis, transport applications, buses, and the metro.
Taking a taxi is the quickest and most convenient way to get to and from the airport, with a minimum journey time of 25 minutes and fixed fare prices. A private airport transfer is also available and offers a direct trip at an affordable price. However, it is important to bring cash as drivers do not accept card payments.
The combined bus and metro transfer is the only public transport option that leaves directly from the airport, but it requires at least two changes and involves a lot of walking. The journey takes around 1 hour, not including wait times. The bus has a similar transfer time but requires a 10-minute walk to the "Aeropuerto-I" bus stop outside the airport. The metro is a very affordable and relatively quick option, especially during heavy traffic. The nearest metro station is a few minutes' walk from Terminal 2 and is part of Line 2, connecting with Line 1 at the San Miguelito station.
For those seeking a more comfortable and hassle-free experience, the airport offers VIP lounges with comfortable seats, Wi-Fi, complimentary food and beverages, showers, and workspaces. Some lounges are accessible with memberships, while others allow access by paying for entry. Additionally, car rental services are available inside the terminal building, offering options for all budgets and travel needs.
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Airlines and flights
Tocumen International Airport (IATA: PTY) is located in Panama City, Panama. It is the largest airport in the country and is based 24 km (14.9 miles) northeast of Panama City. The airport operates 24 hours a day and has two terminals: Terminal 1 (T1), which is the oldest and concentrates most international flights, and Terminal 2 (T2), a modern building recently opened to improve passenger capacity. Tocumen International Airport is served by more than 20 national and international airlines, connecting Panama with destinations in America, Europe, and the Caribbean. It is the main hub of Copa Airlines and a key point for connections in the region.
There are 15 airlines with flights from Tocumen International Airport to 105 airports around the world, as of March 2025. These airlines include Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, American Airlines, AVIANCA, BoA, Cayman Airways, Condor, Copa Airlines, Delta, Iberia, KLM, Sunrise Airways, Turkish Airlines, and United. The airport also has direct flights to Tocumen International Airport from the United States, with popular routes including Miami International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport.
Tocumen International Airport offers several transport options, including official taxis and transport applications such as Uber and InDriver. The airport has an area dedicated to car rentals, with several recognized companies offering options for all budgets and travel needs. For those seeking greater comfort, the airport has several VIP lounges offering more comfortable seats, Wi-Fi, complimentary food and beverages, showers, and workspaces.
The airport also has a variety of dining and shopping options. There are restaurants, cafes, and bars offering a range of cuisines and dining experiences. The airport also has a duty-free shopping area, as well as a variety of shops selling local products, souvenirs, and travel essentials.
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Terminals and facilities
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is the primary international airport serving Panama City, the capital of Panama. The airport is located about 20-24 km from Panama City and is the busiest airport in Central America.
Panama Airport has two main interconnected passenger terminals with a wide variety of facilities and services. The second expansion phase of Tocumen International Airport is the Northern Terminal, which has 12 additional terminal gates. The new facilities included platforms, taxiways, and a new road that connects both the cargo terminal and the airport's administration building. The Muelle Norte is linked to the main passenger terminal and has 10 moving walkways for passengers and 1,400 m2 (15,000 sq ft) of commercial space. The airport also has hundreds of parking spots, with both covered and uncovered parking garages located in front of the terminal building, as well as an outdoor lot for long-term parking. Handicapped parking is also available in all of the airport's parking facilities.
The airport has five lounges, including the Copa Club and Tocumen Royal Saloon, which offer complimentary Wi-Fi, beverages, snacks, and comfortable seating areas. The airport also has duty-free shops, food and drink concessions, an information desk, a luggage office, medical services, a pharmacy, banks, and ATMs. There are also several restaurants and cafes located in the terminals, including La Pausa, which offers local dishes in the airside area of Terminal 1.
The airport provides wheelchair assistance, accessible restrooms, and other services for passengers with special needs. It is advisable to notify your airline in advance if you require these services. The airport also has a VIP lounge, the Copa Club, operated by United Airlines and Copa Airlines, which caters to Copa's partner airlines and Star Alliance members.
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Frequently asked questions
PTY is Tocumen International Airport in Panama.
PTY airport is located 13-15 miles from Panama City and can be reached in 15-40 minutes by taxi, Uber, or car.
The most common means of transport to the city is by taxi, but there are also official airport taxis, shuttle services, rental cars, and ride-hailing apps like Uber and InDriver. The most economical option is to take the MiBus or the Panama Metro.
