News

Panama is officially back. The latest data from Tocumen International Airport shows that 4.6 million travelers passed through the airport in the first quarter, significantly surpassing pre-pandemic levels of 4.1 million in the first quarter of 2019. Traffic grew by 7.3% from the same quarter in 2023.

But the most important part of the Tocumen statement may have been in the comments section. According to Raffoul Arab, general manager of Tocumen International Airport, the airport is “prepared to face a robust increase in demand for regional and global air transportation in the coming months.”

“Robust increase” in traffic is a good indicator that Panama’s economy is booming. Airport traffic means tourism and business activity is strong, even if many travelers are simply in transit.

 In March alone, 1.6 million people used that passenger terminal, 12.2% more than the same month of 2023. As of March, Tocumen handled direct routes to 87 destinations, with 17 commercial airlines offering services to the main cities in the Americas and Europe.

The largest volume of passengers was from and to South America, representing 44% of the total, followed by North America with 29%, the Caribbean with 11%, and Central America with 11%. The European market, one of the great untapped resources for Panama, represented 5% of traffic.