Tocumen Airport (Panama) Starts 2026 with Historic Record: Over 2 Million Passengers in January
Tocumen International Airport has solidified its position as Latin America’s primary connection hub after closing January 2026 with unprecedented figures. The Panamanian terminal moved 2,021,225 passengers, marking a historic record for a single month and establishing a new benchmark for its operational performance.
This result represents a 15% growth compared to the same period last year, surpassing January 2025 records by more than 263,000 passengers.
A Regional Hub Reinforcing Its Leadership
The volume achieved in January confirms Tocumen’s strategic weight within the Latin American air travel map. Of the total passengers moved, 71% were transit travelers. This means more than 1.4 million people utilized the “Hub of the Americas” as a connection point to other international destinations.
This data not only highlights the efficiency of the hub-and-spoke model operating in Panama but also evidences the depth of its connectivity network. In parallel, origin and destination traffic showed solid performance:
- 9% growth in arrivals (disembarkations)
- 15% increase in departures (embarkations) to foreign destinations
The combination of robust transit and local traffic expansion reinforces the airport’s dual role: a continental connection platform and a direct gateway to the country.
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15,420 Movements and 445 Daily Operations
The growth in passenger numbers was accompanied by an increase in aerial activity. During January, 15,420 aircraft movements were recorded, equivalent to an average of 445 daily operations.
These operations included commercial, cargo, and general aviation flights, reflecting a dynamic airport ecosystem capable of absorbing higher demand without compromising its operability.
Connectivity: 16 Airlines and 95 Global Destinations
As highlighted by General Manager Jose Ruiz Blanco, the airport’s sustained growth acts as an engine for tourism, investment, and national competitiveness. Currently, 16 commercial airlines connect Panama with 95 global destinations, strengthening its role as a nerve center between the north and south of the continent.
The markets with the highest passenger traffic during the month were:
- Bogota
- Miami
- San José
- Medellin
- Punta Cana
These destinations confirm the strength of regional flows and the consistency of demand on key routes across the American continent. With more than two million passengers in a single month, Tocumen begins 2026 with a clear signal: its hub model continues to strengthen within an increasingly competitive regional environment.
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