Tocumen International Airport, the main aviation hub of Panama, has handled more than 19 million passengers so far in 2025. Official figures released this week show the airport’s traffic grew by nine percent compared to the same January-November period last year, solidifying its role as a major Latin American connector.
The data reveals a consistent upward trend in both passenger volume and flight operations. In November alone, the terminal mobilized over 1.77 million travelers. That number marks a near ten percent year-on-year increase from the 1.61 million passengers recorded in November 2024.
Transit Passengers Drive Record Numbers
A significant 72 percent of all November travelers, or 1.27 million people, were transit passengers. This high percentage underscores the strategic importance of the Tocumen International Airport as a continental hub. Travelers connect there for flights across the Americas rather than necessarily entering Panama itself.
Breaking down the eleven-month totals, passenger arrivals into Panama City reached 2.56 million. Departing passengers numbered slightly higher at 2.64 million. These figures represent increases of five and three percent, respectively, adding nearly 200,000 additional travelers to the system.
“These numbers confirm the sustained recovery and growth of the regional aviation sector,” said Isaac Ortega, a spokesperson for the airport authority. [Translated from Spanish]
Daily traffic in November averaged 59,117 passengers. Airport officials noted the busiest travel days consistently fall on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays.
Expanded Flight Operations and Key Destinations
Supporting the passenger surge, aircraft movements also jumped by nine percent. From January through November, the airport logged 151,335 takeoffs and landings. Commercial flights accounted for 89 percent of all operations. Cargo flights made up seven percent, with general aviation and charters comprising the remaining four.
November saw 14 commercial passenger airlines and 20 dedicated air cargo carriers using the facilities. Connectivity remains a key strength. The airport offered flights to 87 destinations in November and has served 93 different cities over the entire eleven months.
Bogotá, Colombia, was the top destination city with 983,343 passengers. It was followed by San José, Costa Rica (847,810), and Miami, USA (810,314). Other major markets included Medellín, Colombia, and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. This pattern highlights the airport’s deep connections within Latin America and its crucial link to North America.
The Tocumen International Airport has worked to expand its capacity and services in recent years to handle this growth. Its performance is often viewed as a bellwether for economic and tourism activity in the region.
Cargo Segment Shows Steady Growth
Beyond passengers, the airport’s cargo division also posted gains. A total of 225,666 metric tons of air freight moved through the terminal in the reported period. This represents a four percent increase, or an additional 9,013 metric tons, compared to 2024.
The growth in cargo, while more modest than passenger traffic, points to the airport’s expanding role in regional logistics and supply chains. It complements the substantial passenger transit business, creating a diversified revenue stream for the Tocumen super hub.
Airport authorities anticipate the strong performance will continue through the final month of the year. December traditionally brings a seasonal travel peak due to holidays. The full-year 2025 totals are expected to set a new record for the facility, potentially exceeding 21 million passengers.
This sustained growth presents ongoing challenges. Managing higher passenger volumes requires continuous operational efficiency. Authorities must balance expansion with security, a focus underscored by recent incidents. The positive traffic data, however, offers a clear signal of confidence from both airlines and the traveling public.