Panama’s Tocumen S.A. has launched a public aircraft scrap auction to sell metallic material from 11 aircraft declared abandoned and in scrap condition. The state-owned airport operator announced the sale will free up critical operational space at two airports while addressing safety and environmental hazards.
Six of the derelict aircraft sit on the cargo terminal platform at Tocumen International Airport. The remaining five are located on grounds at Panamá Pacífico International Airport. Removal of these structures will allow Tocumen to reclaim areas for other operational uses, company officials said.
Aircraft Scrap Auction Timeline and Inspection Dates
Interested buyers must register through Panama’s public procurement portal, Panamá Compra, under act number 2026-2-02-0-99-SB-012020. The formal bidding process follows conditions established in the tender specifications published on the platform.
Site visits are scheduled in two blocks. Inspections at the Tocumen cargo terminal run Tuesday, October 20 and Wednesday, October 21 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Panamá Pacífico inspections follow on Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23 during the same hours.
Proposal submission is set for Thursday, October 29, 2026, between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Individuals and companies that meet the process requirements and complete prior registration may participate.
Safety Risks Drive Aircraft Removal Decision
The abandoned aircraft pose documented risks to operational security and the environment. Tocumen explained that the deteriorating structures can become contamination sources and serve as bird refuges. Bird presence near runways compromises ground maneuver safety as well as takeoffs and approach procedures.
Jose Ruiz Blanco, general manager of Tocumen S.A., said recovering these areas aligns with the administration’s broader efforts to maintain safe, efficient facilities prepared for current air traffic demands. The cleanup represents part of an ongoing infrastructure optimization strategy at Panama’s primary aviation hubs.
Auction Scope and Operational Impact
The sale covers metallic material only, with buyers responsible for removal under formal procedures. This approach lets Tocumen offload unusable assets while ensuring environmental and safety compliance during dismantling and transport.
Panamá Pacífico, a former U.S. air force base converted to civilian use, has faced similar challenges with abandoned aircraft occupying valuable tarmac space. Clearing these areas supports expansion plans for cargo and general aviation operations at both facilities.
Full tender documents remain available at www.panamacompra.gob.pa. The procurement process follows standard Panamanian public contracting regulations designed to ensure transparency and competitive bidding for state asset disposals.