Tocumen International Airport - PTY Panama
Inaugurated in 1947 by President Enriquez Adolfo Jimenez Brin, Tocumen International Airport started its operations while construction was still ongoing. Its first facility, which now serves as the cargo terminal, was too small to accommodate the growing demand for air transportation in Panama City, Panama. It had to expand and build a new terminal, which is now the main terminal of the airport. This terminal was inaugurated and opened to the public in 1978. In 1981, its name was briefly changed into “Omar Torrijos International Airport” to honor Omar Torrijos, a military leader. Shortly after, its original name was reinstated. In 2006, there was a major expansion and renovation that increased its capacity by 50%.
Best Time to Visit
Currently, PTY-Tocumen International Airport has two (2) runways for commercial flights, and one (1) runway for cargo planes and private flights. Sometimes, when there is heavy traffic, the cargo runway also serves as an alternative runway for commercial planes. The airport is publicly owned and managed by Tocumen SA International Airport. In 2018, the airport has served 16.24 million passengers. Its busiest route is San Jose de Costa Rica, which has served 863,035 passengers in 2017. Popular surrounding cities include Juan Diaz, Río Abajo, and Ancon.
What to Do & Area Attractions
There are airports around the airport. Some of the best airport hotels include the Riande Aeropuerto Hotel & Casino and the 5-star Crowne Plaza Panama Airport.
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is near 2 other international airports, the Albrook “Marcos A. Gelabert” International Airport (PAC), which is 29 km away; and the Panama Pacifico International Airport, which is 35 km away.
