Panama’s Civil Aviation Authority is negotiating with the Canadian government to secure extra flights for soccer fans traveling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Officials confirmed the formal request this week as existing weekly flight frequencies between the countries are fully booked. The move addresses a unique bottleneck because Canada requires government-to-government approval for charter flights unlike other destinations.
Rafael Bárcenas, the Director of Panama’s Civil Aviation Authority, explained the situation stems from restrictive bilateral air service agreements. Panama currently operates 14 weekly flights to Canada, split evenly between Toronto and Montreal. All seats on these regular services are already sold out for the tournament period where Panama’s national team will play matches in Toronto. The government’s request specifically asks for 60 additional round-trip flights to operate only during Panama’s World Cup participation window.
“On Monday we formally presented the documentation and we are awaiting Canada’s response to increase capacity and allow fans to attend the World Cup,” said Bárcenas. [Translated from Spanish]
Bárcenas clarified a critical regulatory hurdle. Canada does not permit airlines to arrange charter flights directly. All such authorizations must pass through official diplomatic channels under existing treaties. This contrasts sharply with Panama’s arrangements with other nations. The country generally maintains an open skies policy to encourage air travel growth.
Canada’s Restrictive Stance on Air Access
Panamanian officials identified Canada as their most restrictive bilateral aviation partner. Bárcenas noted that Canadian airlines oppose increasing flight frequencies to Panama despite no Canadian carriers currently operating regular service on the routes. This resistance occurs even as passenger demand surges. The government’s request is a targeted solution, not an attempt to permanently alter the bilateral air service agreements.
“With the United States it is a more agile and technical process; with Canada it is strictly a matter of negotiation between governments,” Bárcenas stated. [Translated from Spanish]
The comparison with the United States is stark. Panama’s open skies agreement with the U.S. allows airlines and aviation authorities to add flights to cities like New York directly. This flexibility is absent in the Canadian context. The Civil Aviation Authority (Panama) now waits for a formal reply from Ottawa. The hope is for a positive decision that supports Panamanian fans.
This logistical push coincides with broader aviation sector updates. Bárcenas announced the authority will soon release a management report detailing industry growth figures. The report will also cover infrastructure projects like planned upgrades to the Bocas del Toro Island airport. Those improvements are currently in the public bidding preparation phase.
For now, the immediate focus remains on securing travel options for thousands of supporters. The success of the request hinges on diplomatic negotiations. Panama’s aviation leaders remain hopeful Canada will grant a temporary exception for the global sporting event. The situation highlights how pre-existing aviation treaties can directly impact fan experience at major international tournaments. All eyes are on the Canadian government’s next move.