The Tocumen Airport and it's Location

Tocumen Airport is located about 17 km. from Panama City and it is a large facility and center of flights heading to and from the Caribbean, South America, North America and Central America. Also one European city (Madrid) is served.

According to the FAA this is one of Central America’s most modern airports. However, it wasn’t always that way and it went through some changes during the 1940s to the present date.

Brief History

The first Tocumen International Airport was inaugurated on June 1, 1947 and it started operations without construction being completed. The main administration and terminal building was inaugurated seven years later.

However, given the history of Panama as a transit country, because of its geographical location, the original terminal became too small for its demand. Hence, a new terminal was in the planning and construction began in 1971. The Tocumen River was diverted from its original course for the construction of the new terminal. The new airport, given the same name, was inaugurated on August 15, 1978, and the inaugural flight was on September 5, 1978.

Driving Directions

The Tocumen International is readily accessible using the South Corridor Toll Highway and from the center of Panama City it takes less than 20 minutes.

Vehicle Parking and Hiring

There is ample open-air parking in front of the main terminal on the arrivals level, and Alamo, Avis, Barriga, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National and Thrifty have facilities on the arrivals level after exiting the customs area.

It is the hub of Copa Air Lines. It is estimated that approximately 3.7 million passengers will be traveling through Panama’s Tocumen International Airport in 2007.

Public Transportation Available

Regulated taxis are available with pre-purchase of your fare—up to two people $25.00, three or more $10.00 per person. Some hotels offer shuttle service. There is no availability of bus services to or from the terminal.

Information and Help Desks

The Panamanian Tourism Institute has a help desk inside the baggage claim area. In the arrivals area of the Hotel Caesar Park they also have an information counter.

Airport Facilities

There is access to an ATM machine on the departure level, along with a branch of the National Bank of Panama. Cable & Wireless operates a telephone/fax facility on the same level. Public telephones are available in various locations. A restaurant and coffee shop are located on the upper level overlooking the departure area. On the arrivals level there are a few snack outlets and there is a restaurant inside the departure area. There are also a number of shops located in the International Departure area with duty-free shopping available both on departure and arrival. Porters are available to assist with your luggage, but once departing the customs area, baggage carts cannot proceed any further.

There are no business facilities at the airport, but there is a VIP lounge, Tocumen Royal Saloon, available for arriving and departing visitors.

Tocumen Airport Panama, is fully accessible to disabled passengers.

Tocumen is the main International Airport in Panama, and the only one in Central America with two runways; one being used for take off and landing and the other one being used for access and high demand.

Tocumen Airport Panama is one of the fastest growing facilities in the region and its annual 16.6% increase in passengers is well above the global 6% increase.