Panama · Infrastructure
Key Facts
—Model. A single private company will manage both airports under an initial five-year operation-and-maintenance (O&M) contract.
—Timeline. The international tender is expected to launch in late 2025, with private operation targeted for early 2027.
—Investment. Under the O&M deal, Panama’s state-owned Tocumen S.A. keeps responsibility for major capital upgrades.
—Cost. Running the regional airports currently costs Tocumen about US$10 million annually, a burden the concession aims to reduce.
—Scope. The winning bidder will also take over Enrique Adolfo Jiménez airport in Colón as part of the same package.
*Panama City is moving to hand the day-to-day running of its two key regional gateways to a private operator, aiming to stem losses and unlock tourism growth beyond the capital’s hub.*
What the two airports serve
Enrique Malek International Airport serves David, the capital of Chiriquí province near the Costa Rican border, a hub for highland tourism and agribusiness. Scarlett Martínez International Airport in Río Hato, on the Pacific coast of Coclé province, is a gateway to beach resorts and charter flights.
Both are currently run by Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen S.A. (AITSA), the state-owned company that also operates Panama City’s main hub. The government now wants a private operator to take over their daily management.
Why Panama wants a concession now
The regional airports lose money and depend entirely on Tocumen’s finances, draining roughly US$10 million a year from the state company. A private O&M contract is designed to improve operational efficiency and relieve that fiscal pressure.
Authorities also see untapped tourism potential, especially at Scarlett Martínez, where they want to extend seasonal routes year-round and attract private and maintenance flights. The move fits a broader rethink of Panama’s airport infrastructure, with a possible parallel process for Tocumen itself.
The concession terms taking shape
Panama will bundle Enrique Malek, Scarlett Martínez and the smaller Enrique Adolfo Jiménez airport in Colón into a single concession awarded through an international tender. The initial contract is structured as a five-year O&M deal, with the state retaining responsibility for major capital investments.
The private operator will manage passenger services, terminal maintenance and tourist attention under performance standards set by AITSA and the Civil Aeronautical Authority. A longer public-private partnership of 10 or 20 years, where the concessionaire would finance expansions, remains a future option under Law 93 of 2019.
Economic terms are still being drafted, but the model is expected to combine a fixed concession fee with variable payments tied to traffic or commercial revenue. Any contract must win approval from the Comptroller General’s office to take effect.
What it means for travellers
For passengers, the immediate change should be largely behind the scenes, with a professional airport operator running check-in, gates and terminal services. The government hopes private management will bring cleaner facilities, smoother operations and better tourist attention at both airports.
The bigger prize is route development. Scarlett Martínez has already attracted new direct flights, such as a weekly Quito service, and Wingo recently launched a Bogotá–Río Hato route that signals growing low-cost interest in bypassing Panama City. A private operator with global airline relationships could accelerate that trend.
The Copa network question
Copa Airlines’ hub-and-spoke model is built entirely around Tocumen International in Panama City, and the carrier does not currently serve David or Río Hato with mainline jets. The concession does not directly touch Copa’s network, but a revitalized Scarlett Martínez could draw point-to-point leisure carriers that compete indirectly on some Caribbean and northern South America leisure routes.
If Río Hato matures as a low-cost beach gateway, it may siphon a sliver of connecting traffic that would otherwise transit Tocumen. For now, the risk to Copa is marginal, but the concession signals that Panama is serious about developing secondary airports as standalone destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airports are being concessioned?
Enrique Malek International Airport in David, Scarlett Martínez International Airport in Río Hato, and Enrique Adolfo Jiménez Airport in Colón are bundled into one contract.
Will the private operator own the airports?
No. The initial contract is an operation-and-maintenance concession for about five years. The state, through Tocumen S.A., retains ownership and funds major capital investments.
When will private management begin?
The tender is expected to launch in the second half of 2025, with evaluation during 2026 and operational handover targeted around January 2027.
Does this affect flights at Tocumen in Panama City?
Not directly. The concession covers only the regional airports. However, the government is studying a separate process that could eventually involve Tocumen International.
Read More from The Rio Times