News

One of the biggest airlines in the world is substantially increasing its flights to Panama. Turkish Airlines, the national carrier of Turkey, is adding three new weekly flights to Tocumen International Airport, starting Oct. 30.

The new connections will give Turkish a total of 10 weekly services to Panama, a significant commitment to the value of providing service to Panama City.

For the real estate market, an increase in air service is always good news, a leading indicator of future activity. Airlines commit the flights when they know there is interest and support. Investors from Europe and the Middle East are growing more active in the Panama property market, but they are still a relatively small part of the market. More direct flights always translate to more promotion and marketing for Panama in other countries, in addition to making it easier to do business.  

Turkish is the tenth largest airline flying to Tocumen, according to Aviation Source. But more than 61,000 passengers flew from Istanbul to Panama City in the first six months of 2022, making it the third busiest route from Europe, behind Amsterdam and Madrid, the site reports.

Turkish will operate a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner for the flights, described as the airline’s most modern and fuel-efficient aircraft. Flights will be Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, leaving Istanbul at 2 p.m. and arriving in Panama City at 8:15 p.m.; flights to Istanbul will leave at 9:45 p.m.