Last Tuesday, November 23, Air Transat reestablished operations in Panama by connecting Scarlett Martinez International Airport (RIH), which serves Rio Hato, with Montreal-Trudeau (YUL). In addition, Sunwing Airlines will return to the country on December 17.

Both airlines were encouraged to return to Rio Hato, considered the Pearl of the Pacific, as part of the Panamanian government’s strategy to boost tourism and air services. The area has white sand beaches and is central to other tourist attractions.

First Air Transat flight brought 156 Canadian tourists on an Airbus A321LR. Initially, it will operate every Tuesday and as of December 13, an additional frequency will be added on Mondays.

Meanwhile, Sunwing is scheduled to return on December 17 with two weekly flights (Mondays and Fridays) from Toronto-Pearson (YYZ).

Both airlines add packages to their flights, which include exclusive hotels, with the option of enjoying other activities that will help boost the economy in the attractive towns of the central region of the country, such as Cocle, central provinces, and Azuero.

According to data obtained by Aviacionline through Cirium, prior to the pandemic, there was an average of 120 flights per month between Canada and Panama, with peaks of 180 in high season. On a regular basis, Air Canada operated three weekly flights between Toronto (YYZ) and Panama/Tocumen (PTY) and Copa Airlines from Tocumen to Montreal (YUL) and Toronto with 4 and 5 weekly flights respectively.

During high season, Air Transat was joined by Air Transat with two weekly flights to Toronto and three to Montreal from Rio Hato (RIH), and Sunwing Airlines had flights to the same Panamanian city from Toronto (two weekly flights), Quebec (one weekly flight) and Montreal (one weekly flight).

Flights between the two countries are still -29.1% below pre-pandemic levels when compared to December 2019.