Just as we are ready to open the new terminal, it was announced that the airport authorities are buying land and planning another runway and new terminal.  Panama will continue it’s role as the hub of the Americas.

Panama City airport authorities have started negotiating to buy the land needed to build a third runway and a passenger terminal.
The formal process for acquiring properties began with discussions with the owners of the six plots of interest to Tocumen S.A., all of different sizes and which together total some 800 hectares. Carlos Duboy, manager of Tocumen, explained that they presented a possible payment scheme that includes a portion in cash and another in exchange of state lands in other parts of the country.

Prensa.com reports that “…The airport’s plans are to finalise the negotiation before the end of the year and complete the purchase once Tocumen finishes paying off the debt it has with the University of Panama, which in 2012 sold to the airport 337 hectares for $109 million.”

“… According to Tocumen’s master plan, by the year 2022 they will need to construct a third airstrip, because of aircraft congestion on the ground that is happening during peak hours. Also, the airport will need a third passenger terminal, taking into account that between 2025 and 2030 the building of 116 thousand square meters that is currently be built will be operating at its maximum capacity.”