Panama City's Tocumen International Airport is the main international airport serving the capital of Panama, Panama City. The airport was established in 1947 and serves as a major hub for flights to and from the Caribbean, South America, North America and Central America. Search for direct flights from your hometown and find hotels near Panama City, Panama, or scroll up for more international or domestic airports. The name of the airport was changed in 1981 by the military government to Omar Torrijos International Airport, in honor of the Panamanian leader who died on July 31, 1981, at the age of 52, in a plane crash in Cerro Marta, Coclesito, in very poor conditions.
If you're booking an international flight, you'll probably prefer the nearest major airport; otherwise, if you're a pilot, you might be looking for a local airport. Until May 31, 2003, Tocumen International Airport was managed by the Civil Aeronautics Directorate (now known as the Civil Aeronautics Authority). It included the construction of a new terminal, hundreds of parking spaces, the diversion of the Tocumen River and four new direct access lanes to the airport. These circumstances forced the aeronautical authorities of the time to consider expanding the airport.
Playón Chico Airport (PYC) has domestic flights from Playón Chico, Panama, and is 101 km from Panama City, Panama. The old airport building, currently used as a cargo terminal, was built on an area of 720 ha (1,800 acres) and was 126 feet (38 m) above sea level. There are often several airports near the city you want to visit, so you can often find a cheaper flight to a different airport. The renovation of the old Tocumen International Airport (originally built in 194 to be used only as a cargo terminal) was the last step in the Tocumen International Airport modernization project.
It is also the busiest airport in Central America, with flights from Europe, North America and the entire region. Contadora Airport (OTD) has domestic flights from Contadora, Panama, and is 66 km from Panama City, Panama. The airport serves as a base of operations for Copa Airlines and is a regional hub to and from the Caribbean, South, North and Central America, and also has routes to some European cities, as well as cargo flights to Qatar, a country in Asia. Tocumen International Airport is one of the few airports in the region that has two runways capable of servicing the largest commercial aircraft currently operating.
This included the addition of 6 remote positions, allowing Tocumen Airport to have a total of 28 boarding gates. Travelmath helps you find the nearest airport to any city, as well as a list of smaller local airports.