Panamanian government evaluates granting concession for Tocumen Airport

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Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino revealed, in a business round that he held on Tuesday in Paris (France), that his government is considering granting a concession for Tocumen International Airport, the country’s main air terminal, a 100% state-owned subsidiary, reported La Prensa.

This concession would be joined by another one, that of the airports of Colon, Rio Hato and the city of David, in Chiriqui, all under the administration of the state-owned Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen S.A. (AITSA).

AITSA’s current manager, José Antonio Ruiz, told La Prensa that there have indeed been conversations about the option of giving the Tocumen terminal in concession to private companies, although independently and not as a block with the rest of the terminals.

More than 14 million travelers have passed through Tocumen Airport through September

“For Tocumen, we are evaluating what is the best option for the future of the country,” Ruiz said.

Mulino did not provide further details on how far along the analysis of the possible concession is, nor when a decision would be made. He also did not give details of the advantages for the country and the economic benefits of such operation.

Nor did he mention whether the concession would be total, that is, whether a private company would be granted administrative control and investment, or whether a concessionaire would only be paid to manage the operation, while future investments and plans would be in the hands of the State.

Currently, 33 airlines operate at Tocumen Airport, 16 passenger airlines and 17 cargo airlines.

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