📌 IN BRIEF
• Tocumen International Airport (Panama) announces the addition of 10 to 12 new boarding gates by 2028
• Passenger traffic up 7% between January and May 2025
• Capacity increased from 15 to 20 million annual passengers
• Tender process scheduled for Q2 2026
• Tocumen strengthens its position as a strategic hub connecting North America, South America, and the Caribbean
The Panamanian Hub Prepares for a New Phase of Growth
Tocumen International Airport (PTY), already Central America’s most strategic air hub, officially launched its ambitious expansion plan in January 2026, aiming to add 10 to 12 new boarding gates by 2028. This announcement confirms Panama’s commitment to strengthening its position as an air crossroads between North America, South America, and the Caribbean.
The airport, which recorded a 7% increase in passenger traffic between January and May 2025, anticipates growing demand driven by Copa Airlines’ strategy and the increase in direct flights to Latin America and the United States. Current capacity, raised to 15 million annual passengers after the opening of Terminal 2 in 2022, is expected to reach 20 million passengers by 2028.
Infrastructure: New Gates to Meet Demand
The expansion project includes:
✓ 10 to 12 new gates for international and regional flights
✓ Optimization of security and immigration processes through the integration of biometric technologies
✓ Expansion of commercial areas to enhance the passenger experience
✓ Exploration of a third runway to address increasing slot saturation
According to Tocumen S.A., the airport’s managing authority, the tender process for the construction of the new gates will begin in the second quarter of 2026, with work scheduled to start in early 2027.
Copa Airlines: The Engine of Expansion
Copa Airlines, which accounts for approximately 65% of traffic at Tocumen, continues to expand its network. In June 2025, the airline launched a new direct route between Panama and San Diego, California, thus consolidating its presence on the US West Coast.
Tocumen’s expansion is closely linked to Copa Airlines’ strategy to position Panama as the essential hub of the Americas, in direct competition with Miami, Bogotá, and Mexico City.
“Tocumen is no longer just a regional airport; it is a major player in continental connectivity,” states an aviation analyst based in Panama City.
Regional Connectivity: A Strategic Issue for LAC
Tocumen’s expansion is part of a broader context of air traffic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean. According to data from ALTA (Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association), passenger traffic in the region increased by 2.3% in November 2025, reaching 39.3 million travelers.
With 42 countries and territories covered by flights from Tocumen, the Panamanian airport plays a crucial role in connecting Caribbean island economies to South American and North American markets.
Challenges and Prospects
Despite this positive momentum, several challenges remain:
• Slot saturation: Growing demand could lead to congestion if the third runway is not put into service quickly
• Increased competition: Other regional hubs like Bogotá (El Dorado) and Mexico City (AIFA) are also developing their infrastructure
• Sustainability: The airport will need to integrate energy efficiency and emissions reduction solutions to meet international standards
Tocumen has announced that it will integrate solar panels and smart energy management systems into the new infrastructure, in line with ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation objectives.
Conclusion: Tocumen, Barometer of LAC Air Growth
Tocumen’s expansion is an indicator of the sustained growth of the aviation sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. With an anticipated increase of 20 million passengers by 2028, the Panamanian airport confirms its role as a strategic pivot in the regional air ecosystem.
For airlines, airport authorities, and technology providers, Tocumen represents a model of infrastructural development aligned with 21st-century connectivity needs.
