Tocumen : Clear horizons

AFTER RECOVERING FROM THE HARDEST YEARS IN THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL AVIATION, PANAMA’S FIRST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT STRENGTHENS ITS ADVANTAGES TO REMAIN THE REGION’S MOST ACTIVE AND DYNAMIC HUB.

By Gaspar Victoria

Photos: Luis Zamora + Courtesy: AITSA

Panama’s Tocumen International Airport combines infrastructure, human resources, technological investment, and its acclaimed geographic location to offer a winning formula for providing the best travel connections. This sea-level airport serves a metropolis dedicated to international business. It is located literally in the center of the continent, adjacent to a leading logistics conglomerate.

In July 2022, the international terminal officially opened its ambitious Terminal 2. Following a prolonged global health crisis and, consequently, a cautious yet enthusiastic return to demand for air travel, the stakes were high. The decision to open, brave and daring at the time, has proven to be a good one. Panama’s main air terminal is ahead of its competitors, consolidating itself as the region’s leading connection center.

Almost two years have passed and the Tocumen facilities are bustling with activity. Almost two years have passed and the Tocumen facilities are bustling with activity. The airport offers a menu of services, products, and goods that lift the travel experience to a new level. It sees an endless flow of people that further intensifies six times a day, when passengers from flights operated by Copa Airlines, the main user, make their connections. By late 2023, the terminal had moved 17.8 million passengers, exceeding the 16.5 million served during 2019, the peak year prior to the pandemic. Of these passengers, 44% came from South America, 30% from North America, and 11% from the Caribbean and Central America. With service to 91 destinations and an active strategy to attract new airlines and routes, it is feasible that the airport will reach a total of 100 connected destinations by the end of this year or early 2025.

What makes Tocumen International Airport an essential air terminal for Panama and the entire region?

Let’s start with the most relevant: safety and punctuality. In August of last year, the airport was awarded the Aeronautical Quality and Safety Certification in a process carried out by Civil Aeronautics of Panama, in accordance with standards and methods recommended by the ICAO, and with the support of other international bodies such as the Federal Agency of United States Aviation (FAA) and ACI LAC. This certification earned Tocumen a place in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), where it joined a select group of airports in the region that comply with the highest international airport security regulations.

The terminal ranks second in the world in punctuality according to the international auditing company Cirium, with 90.51% of its flights leaving on time.

In terms of punctuality, the terminal ranks as the second best in the world, according to the international auditing company Cirium, with 90.51% of its flights departing on time. To increase this vital advantage, Tocumen continues to improve its punctuality through investments such as a new operations control center (AOCC) that is unique in the region, with the latest computer technology to manage real time operations for all the terminal’s operational processes (incidents, security, and passenger service, among others). These investments make these processes as comfortable and expeditious as possible and place this airport among the most advanced in the region.

Together, Tocumen’s two terminals host nearly 150 retail and service outlets to meet any need that travelers may have: clothing and accessories, souvenirs, electronics, confectioneries, liquor, and pet stores, on the one hand, and travel insurance, currency exchange, and VIP lounges, on the other. Not to mention the culinary offerings, which often go beyond the typical fast food or grab-and-go fare available in most airport terminals to bring more comforting experiences to travelers looking for a rest between legs of their journey.

In addition to this complete array of options for in-transit passengers, Tocumen innovates with other services, such as a breastfeeding room, pet relief areas for pets and emotional support animals, and a prayer room. These spaces —rarely found in other airports in the region— put Tocumen at the level of large airport terminals around the world. Coming soon to the connection zone are an additional pet relief area and a short-stay hotel, further evidence of the terminal’s ongoing work to strengthen its competitive advantages.

The airport offers a menu of services, products, and goods that lift the travel experience to a new level.

Clear skies

While covering this story, Panorama of the Americas toured the Tocumen facilities with general manager Raffoul Arab to talk about the airport’s achievements and expectations. For the first time in Tocumen’s 75 years of existence, services are operating out of two separate terminals instead of just one building, adding complexity to operations. “Putting Tocumen Terminal 2 into operation wasn’t easy. Like any construction of this magnitude, we faced a number of challenges. Many aspects, such as air conditioning, communications, electromechanics, and luggage, had to be put in place, but we pulled it off thanks to support from and coordination between the airport staff, the different airlines, and the concessionaires,” explains Arab.

And, finally, with the agreement and commitment of all interested parties, the new terminal came to life. “We made 20 new gates available to airlines and passengers and created 2,000 formal jobs. Tocumen is the country’s second largest company, after the Panama Canal. We also contribute to the creation of thousands of jobs associated with commercial aviation and the country’s logistics cluster,” adds the manager.

Arab points to two of Tocumen’s objectives that will undoubtedly further expand the terminal’s range. “We’ve prepared a project for the Cargo City, which will make Panama the region’s most important logistics center, in addition to being a passenger connection hub. This will generate additional income from cargo movement, an activity that has been increasing in the region, particularly since the pandemic.”

Another project highlighted by the executive is the construction of a third runway. “We’re going to lay the foundations for this project: studies, plans and prospectuses. A third runway will enable much more effective and efficient operations, with parallel takeoffs and landings, which would multiply Tocumen’s operational capacity.” And, in the long term, the Airport City project is also being considered. It would include hotels, recreation centers, and higher education and research centers, among a host of other potential services. “Tocumen is destined to be much more than a passenger or cargo terminal. I see it as a great space for interconnections and for generating jobs, wealth, and knowledge for Panama and neighboring countries,” concludes Arab.