The first Tocumen International Airport was inaugurated on June 1^st, 1947 by the then incumbent President of the Republic, Enrique A. Jiménez, and airport operations began before the construction works were completed.

The administrative building/passenger terminal was inaugurated 7 years later, during the administration of Colonel Jose Antonio Remon Cantera. The old airport, which currently is being used as a cargo terminal, was built on an area that measures 720 square hectares and is 126 feet above sea level. As time passed, and due to Panama's role as a country of transit, that terminal became too small to attend to the growing demand for air operations. This compelled the aeronautical authorities at the time to think first about an expansion and then about the construction of new installations. Work on the new installations began in 1971.

In order to construct the building that currently is home to the passenger terminal a lot of land had to be moved and the bed of the Tocumen river had to be diverted from its original site. The current passenger terminal was inaugurated on August 15^th, 1978 and operations began on September 5 of the same year with an inaugural flight. The Tocumen International Airport is one of the few airports in the region that have two landing strips available.

The landing strip of the old airport is permanently used for cargo and private flights, or as a supplement to the main landing strip in the event of extraordinary demand. At Tocumen airport the main landing strip is 3,050 meters long and is used primarily for commercial flights. Through May 31^st, 2003 management of the Tocumen International Airport was handled by the Civil Aeronautics Directorate (which is known today as the Civil Aeronautics Authority). Beginning on June 1 of that same year, an innovative platform was created for management of the terminal by means of Law No. 23 of January 29, 2003, which sets out a regulatory framework for the management of airports and aerodromes in Panama.

This law allowed the creation of the Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen, S.A.enterprise, also referred to as Tocumen, S.A., which currently manages the terminal. This law is one of a number of laws that restructured the aeronautical sector in Panama to further its improvement and modernization.

Expansion

After about three years of intense work, Tocumen International Airport modernization is now a reality, that has placed it again in a prominent position as one of the most modern airports and technologically advanced in Central and South America.

With an investment of over 85 million Dollars in equipment and infrastructure, Tocumen S.A., achieved in this way meet the expectations that global demand raises both the movement of passengers and freight.

The expansion and modernization of Tocumen International Airport began in 2004, having their facilities fully renovated and adapted to the demands of the growing commercial aviation industry.

The new terminal building at Tocumen International Airport is a modern project, which reflects the latest trends in airport design and architecture of the XXI century, which are supported by a set of equipment and systems, which came to strengthen the operational capacity of these facilities..

The main infrastructure improvements allowed the company to build comfortable waiting and boarding areas, expansion of the baggage room, remodeling of the satellites to get new boarding gates, the adequacy of business area (or duty free), it was possible also to construct two new buildings for maintenance and management of Tocumen SA and public entities, as well as new administrative offices and the up-coming introduction of new entertainment and dining areas with more choices for passengers and airport visitors.

The ambitious project to expand and modernize Panama's main airport terminal also includes the restructuring of offices for the airlines and concessionaires.

Airport Pick service by EPA!

Since it's very difficult finding a bilingual taxi driver who charges you with the exact rate, but provides you with a good customer service, EPA! can arrange to met you at the airport and drive you to your destination (usually a home-stay location). This service offers a higher level of service and reliability. Refer to the Prices & dates for details.

How do you arrange for Airport pick up?

EPA! Admissions arranges the airport transfer and you should contact us by e-mail with the following information:

• Student name

• Airline name (for arrival into the final destination)

• Flight number and airport name (Usually is Tocumen International Airport <PTY>)

• Anticipated time of arrival and date

If the student requests airport pickup for any date other than the Saturday/ Sunday before the start of a session, this date must be approved in advance by Admissions officer or the student will have to stay in a hotel. Ideally, this information should be sent two weeks or more before arrival.