AERONAUTICS – Panama takes the next step for the expansion of the Tocumen International Airport

CURRENTLY 31 AIRLINES USE THE INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL

“We want Tocumen, SA, to be the leader in aeronautical aspect, so that it becomes an example of the region as a first class terminal in competitiveness,” says Mr. Carvajal.

A greater challenge will face the board of the International Airport of Tocumen, SA, after the President of the Republic Ricardo Martinelli noted that construction of the North Pier was “outdated”.

“This Phase 2 is now obsolete, we must begin Phase 3 and 4 of the South Pier, and for that we are buying the land from the University of Panama for the multimodal expansion in the country” said the President of the Republic.

Martinelli yesterday gave the order for the Consortium Aerotocumen to begin work on the North Pier Phase 2, while he also asked to comply with the deadline time that the contract provides for (15 months) and not to request addendums thereto. “I’m a true believer in airports, the development of a country is based on air terminals. For this we will include in the next year’s budget the construction of an international airport in the province of Colon and central provinces,” stressed Martinelli.

The construction, worth $ 68.6 million, will include 12 new aircraft contact positions, access, platform, administration building, remodeling of the main facade, construction of the presidential lounge and of the distribution of aviation fuels to the new positions of aircraft.

Rafael Flores Carvajal, manager of the Tocumen International Airport, described the challenge that Martinelli proposed as a support to the airport team. “This gives us an incentive to form a team with great vision and progress of state for Panama,” he said.

With these projects we respond to the demand in movement of passengers and airline requests, “we are obliged to maintain the best airport capacity to respond to more than 30 million passengers,” he said.

For Pedro Heilbron, president of Copa Airlines, this step is great news, which they had been waiting for some time. For aviation in Panama to grow and especially for the country to continue to develop with the same momentum of previous years. “Today we are at a level of saturation and congestion in which we can not add more flights and much of the development of the country enters through its airport,” said Heilbron.

Justo Arosemena, representing the consortium, said it will comply completely with the requirements and expectations about the extension of the airport, without affecting aviation safety, airline operations and passenger comfort.

So far have they have spent on this project between one and two million dollars before starting the construction, according to Arosemena. Aerotocumen also showed interest in participating in future tenders for international air terminals in the interior.

Salomon Shamah, administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority, believes that the North Pier Phase 2 opens the gateways to wealth and increased quality of life for Panamanians. Shamah said it has started to promote the country through flights from Copa Airlines, Avianca, Taca and Aero Mexico.

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