I read an article in Latin Trade Magazine that rated the top airports in Latin America and it was no surprise that our airport in Panama was right up there in second place. By the end of 2014 when the expansion is completed, it will surely rank number 1 as this is the true hub of the Americas.
Santiago continues to be the most popular airport in Latin America among Latin Trade readers. It received the top spot in comfort/ambience and shops/amenities. The airport received 10.3 million passengers in 2010, according to Airports Council International.
Panama City is right behind, though, thanks to getting most votes in customs/baggage, ease of connection and location/access. Thanks largely to efforts by Panamanian airline Copa, the airport is becoming a major hub for traffic in Latin America. Last year the airport handled 5 million passengers. That compares with only 1.3 million tourist arrivals that year, clearly showing how the airport is being used as a hub. Panama Tocumen International Airport is the primary airport of Panama, and is Central America’s busiest Airport. After Phase I of its modernization and expansion project, it completed in 2011 its Phase II project which added a new section to the passenger terminal, referred to as ‘Muelle Norte’ (North Terminal) with 12 airline gates, doubling airport capacity. Phase 2 also includes making the terminal ADA-adaptable, adding a luggage sorting system, platforms, taxiways and new road. With an expected cost of USD 400 million, this will be the largest single investment the airport has ever had. This second phase expansion will double the airport passenger handling capacity from 8 million to 16 million.
The administration of the airport wants to start construction before the year ends and expects the first building of the second phase to be finished by the first trimester of 2014. This new building will have customs and immigration facilities, which will help soften current airport bottlenecks
Mexico City, Latin America’s second-largest passenger airport, moved up to third place (from 4th in our previous reader survey). It received more votes than Santiago in customs/baggage and ease of connection. The airport received 24.1 million passengers in 2010, ranking it second in passenger traffic in Latin America, according to Latin Business Chronicle.
Lima improved dramatically compared with our previous reader survey, jumping from 10th to fourth place. It received the top score in comfort/ambiance and second-highest score in ease of connection. Long gone are the days when the airport was considered one of the worst in Latin America.
What about Guarulhos in Sao Paulo, last year’s worst-ranked airport? This year, it actually managed to improve its score slightly (from 2.2 to 2.3) while Caracas saw a decline (from 2.3 to 2.1), leading the latter to have the dubious honor of being ranked as Latin America’s worst airport for business travelers.
Always interested in your reports, esp those relating to air service. Anything new on the expansion routes from David?