Tocumen International Airport resumes its commercial flights

The Tocumen International Airport, the “Hub of Panama” and an important regional connection center for Latin America, resumed its international commercial flights on October 12, after seven months of industry shutdown as a result of the pandemic.

The main air terminal in the country has now scheduled itineraries to and from more than 36 cities in 20 countries in South America, Central America, the Caribbean, North America and Europe.

The reopening of international flights occurred under strict health controls that include requirements that foreign travelers, residents and Panamanians must comply with, such as presenting a negative test for Covid-19 with a maximum of 48 hours before boarding their entry flight to the country.

The air terminals of Tocumen International Airport, have been prepared in advance to apply strict disinfection, hygiene and biosafety procedures, according to the standards of the Ministry of Health of Panama, in addition to those required by the regulators of the global airline industry , with the purpose of guaranteeing the successful return of commercial activities, minimizing the risks for passengers, users, collaborators, and security of the country .

As of October 12, 98% of the commercial premises of the Airport have finished complying with all the protocols for their reopening and 85% began operations.

There are currently scheduled flights by the airlines, Copa Airlines, Air France, Wingo, Iberia and United Airlines, KLM and Spirit; While for the end of October, Delta Airlines, American Airlines and Avianca are scheduled to resume their operations in the “Panama Hub”, while Turkish Airlines and Air Europa will do so in November and December respectively.

The Central American aerodrome operated, before the State of Health Emergency, about 420 daily flights, serving 94 destinations in 39 countries in America, Europe and Asia; With its reactivation, the gradual recovery of competitiveness is sought, contributing to the economic reactivation of the country, the tourism industry and the air connectivity of Panama with the world.

Among the main preventive measures applied at the Tocumen International Airport and regional terminals are the mandatory use of masks for all travelers entering the airport, signage in all areas for physical distancing, limitations for the entry of companions, placement screens or screens at passenger service counters and the use of thermal imaging cameras to assess people’s body temperature.