Lois Larson
Tocumen International Airport (IATA: PTY, ICAO: MPTO) is the primary international airport serving Panama City, the capital of Panama. It is the largest and busiest airport in Panama and Central America, with flights to more than 65 cities in 36 countries across the Americas and Europe. The airport is also popular for connections between the Caribbean, South America, North America, and Central America.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Tocumen International Airport |
| Airport Code | PTY |
| Location | Panama City |
| Inauguration Date | 1 June 1947 |
| Airlines | 18 |
| Destinations | 72-92 |
| Countries Served | 36-38 |
| Cities Served | 65-82 |
| Awards | Best airport in Central America and the Caribbean (Skytrax, 2021-2023) |
| Runways | 2 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Tocumen International Airport is one of the few airports in the region with two landing runways capable of serving the largest commercial aircraft operating today. The airport operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, thanks to Panama's strategic location and favourable weather conditions. It has been recognised as the best airport in Central America and the Caribbean by Skytrax for three consecutive years since 2021.
The airport was inaugurated on 1 June 1947 by President Enrique Adolfo Jiménez, and airport operations began before 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. Due to Panama's role as a transit country, that terminal became too small, and work on new buildings began in 1971. The bed of the Tocumen River was diverted to construct the new terminal building, which opened on 15 August 1978, with operations commencing on 5 September.
The name of the airport was changed in 1981 by the military government to Omar Torrijos International Airport, in honour of the Panamanian leader who died on 31 July 1981. After the fall of the dictatorship of Panama in 1989, the original name was reinstated. 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 metres by 45 metres (10,007 feet by 148 feet) and is used primarily for commercial flights.
Explore the Secrets Inside MSY Airport
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Marcos A Gelabert International Airport (PAC)
Marcos A Gelabert International Airport, also known as Albrook International Airport, is located in Panama City, Panama. It is the country's second-largest airport and the main connection point for domestic flights, serving mainly short-haul flights within Panama. The airport is also used for private flights and aviation in general. It is located 2km away from the nearest seaport, Rodman.
Marcos Gelabert International Airport is home to AirPanama, Panama's second-largest airline. The airport offers daily flights to every major town and city in Panama, including 2-3 daily flights to David, Chiriqui. It provides modern infrastructure, with a large nearby shopping centre (formerly part of the airbase) and convenient bus routes.
For travellers, the airport offers basic services, including car rentals, cafeterias, and lounges. It is recommended to arrive at the airport early to allow time for parking, baggage drop-off, and other travel procedures. Most airlines recommend arriving two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights.
The airport is served by Air Panama, which operates regular scheduled services to and from the airport. It is ranked 888th in the world for port connectivity, which ranks airports and seaports by their direct connections to other global ports. The ICAO code for Marcos A Gelabert International Airport is MPMG.
Montana's Airport: Does It Exist?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Enrique Malek International Airport (DAV)
Panama has over 100 airports for domestic flights, making it the country with the most private airstrips per square mile in the world. The country's main airport is Tocumen International Airport (PTY), located about 30 minutes from downtown Panama and offering direct flights to 82 cities in 36 countries across the Americas and Europe.
Enrique Malek International Airport is considered the second most important airport in the country for domestic flights, providing direct connections to Panama City and other destinations within Panama. The airport features a modern terminal with cafeterias, comfortable lounges, and other facilities to enhance the traveller's experience.
The airport is also known as David Enrique Malek International Airport and is identified by the airport codes DAV and MPDA. It is recognised as an international airport due to its flights to and from San Jose, Costa Rica.
South Korea Airport Visa Policy: What Travelers Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Enrique Jimenez International Airport (ONX)
Panama is home to over 100 airports, including international and domestic airports. The country's main airport is Tocumen International Airport (PTY), located about 30 minutes from downtown Panama and considered the best airport in Central America and the Caribbean. It offers direct flights to 82 cities in 36 countries across the Americas and Europe.
Enrique Jimenez International Airport offers scheduled airline flights to Panama City and other destinations within Panama. It is a strategic gateway to the Caribbean beaches, areas near the Portobelo National Park, and the Colon Free Zone. The airport provides basic services, including car rentals, a duty-free shop, restaurants, and coffee shops. It is also located near the Sheraton Hotel and Radisson Hotel and Casino.
Overall, while Enrique Jimenez International Airport may not be one of Panama's main aviation hubs, it plays a crucial role in facilitating travel to the country's Caribbean region and connecting the city of Colon with other destinations within Panama.
Eugene Airport: Does It Exist?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Bocas del Toro International Airport (BOC)
Panama has several major airports, including Tocumen International Airport, Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport, Enrique Malek International Airport, and Enrique Jimenez International Airport. However, this answer will focus on Bocas del Toro International Airport (BOC).
Bocas del Toro "Isla Colón" International Airport, also known as Aeropuerto Internacional de Bocas del Toro "Isla Colón" in Spanish, is located in Panama. The airport is situated 1.5 kilometres (1 mile) northwest of the centre of Bocas del Toro, a town on Isla Colón (Colón Island) in the Bocas del Toro Province. It is also called José Ezequiel Hall International Airport.
The airport operates daily from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. It features a control tower, runway lights, and a single runway aligned in an east-west direction. The airport can accommodate various aircraft, including business jets such as Bombardier Global Express, Gulfstreams, and Dassault Falcon. The largest scheduled plane served by the airport is the Air Panama Fokker 50.
Bocas del Toro International Airport offers international routes to Pavas and Tamarindo in Costa Rica through Nature Air. It also provides connections to Panama City's Albrook and Tocumen airports with AirPanama. Despite being a small airport with minimal services, it does include international customs for arriving passengers.
Bocas del Toro is known for its tropical coastal setting, characterised by a hot and humid climate. The region stands out within Panama due to its lack of a distinct wet and dry season.
Leicester Airport: Does It Exist?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is the main airport in Panama. It is one of the busiest airports in the Central American region.
Tocumen International Airport is located 24km east of Panama City.
Tocumen International Airport has recently expanded its north terminal, increasing its passenger handling capacity to about 10 million passengers per annum. The airport now offers upgraded lounges, more dining and shopping options, and enhanced technological experiences.
Other major airports near Panama City include Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport, Contadora Airport, and Playón Chico Airport.
There are several other airports in Panama, including Yaviza Airport, Enrique Adolfo Jimenez Airport, Bocas del Toro "Isla Colon" International Airport, and Changuinola "Capitan Manuel Nino" International Airport.
