Although the growth rate is relatively low, it represents a transformation in the Central American air market. Spirit, VivaColombia and Wingo are three of the low-cost airlines that have increased their presence in the market, competing with the airlines that traditionally shared the region’s market. 

See: “Low Cost Flights Come to Central America“

Elcapitalfinanciero.com reports that “ …According to statistics provided by the Civil Aviation Authority (AAC), 223,839 passengers traveled from Panama to cities in other countries using low-cost airlines in 2016. If you compare this figure with the 212,982 passengers that were transported by these airlines in 2015, there is a 5% increase.  

“… Specifically, during the last two years, 436,821 people traveled to other countries using low-cost airlines operating in Panama. They are Spirit Airlines, a US company, the Colombian company VivaColombia and the newly formed Wingo, a subsidiary of Copa Holding.”