Panama’s Tocumen International Airport handled over 20.9 million passengers in 2025, setting a new annual record for the nation’s primary aviation hub. The figure represents a significant 9 percent increase from the 19.25 million passengers served in 2024, according to official airport statistics released this week.
This milestone caps a year of expanded operations and growing international air traffic. The airport’s performance in December was particularly strong, with 1.9 million passengers traveling through its terminals. That monthly total marked a 13.5 percent jump compared to December 2024.
Operational Growth and Daily Traffic
Beyond the headline passenger number, operational data reveals a busier airport across all metrics. Takeoffs and landings reached 166,448 in 2025, a nine percent increase from the previous year. Commercial flights accounted for 89 percent of all operations. The daily passenger flow also intensified, averaging 61,414 people per day in December. That is a considerable rise from a previous daily average of around 50,000.
Travel patterns showed peak volumes on Thursdays and from Saturday through Monday. A breakdown of the annual passenger data indicates 2.83 million travelers entered Panama City as their final destination, a five percent increase. Meanwhile, approximately 2.91 million people departed from the country, a three percent rise.
“These results correspond to the coordination between the different actors of the airport system and the behavior of demand during the year,” said Tocumen International Airport General Manager José Ruiz Blanco. [Translated from Spanish]
Ruiz Blanco’s statement highlights the collaborative effort behind managing the increased capacity. The airport’s super performance is closely tied to Panama’s overall tourism and business climate.
Expanding Connectivity and Cargo Strength
The airport’s role as a regional connector remained robust throughout the year. Its network linked Panama with 97 international destinations across the Americas and Europe. Key routes included cities like Bogotá, Lima, Miami, Madrid, and Amsterdam. Seventeen commercial passenger airlines and twenty-eight cargo carriers maintained this extensive web of connections.
The air cargo sector saw even more dramatic growth. Tonnage moved through the facility surged by 15 percent year-over-year. Officials recorded 248,455 metric tons of air freight in 2025, an addition of over 31,800 tons.
This dual strength in passenger and cargo operations solidifies Tocumen’s position as a comprehensive logistics center. The growth in freight indicates a healthy demand for Panama as a transit point for goods, complementing its well-established passenger hub function.
Recognition for Operational Punctuality
Managing this increased volume efficiently has been a critical focus. For the second consecutive year, the airport earned a major industry accolade for its on-time performance. Aviation analytics firm Cirium named Tocumen International Airport the “Most Punctual Medium-Sized Airport in the World” for 2025.
The award was based on a punctuality rate of 93.34 percent. Achieving such reliability while handling record traffic is a significant operational challenge. It suggests the airport’s infrastructure and management processes are scaling effectively with demand.
This recognition can help attract additional airline partners. Airport executives have publicly stated their goal of bringing new carriers to the country’s internatinal airport. A reputation for punctuality is a powerful selling point for airlines looking to optimize their schedules and aircraft utilization.
The record-breaking year sets a new baseline for Panama’s main gateway. It reflects broader economic and travel trends favoring the region. As passenger and cargo numbers continue their upward trajectory, the airport’s capacity and efficiency will be tested further. The data from 2025 proves the hub is currently meeting that test.