Panama‘s main air gateway is bracing for a massive influx of travelers. Tocumen International Airport officials project over 154,000 local passengers will move through its international terminals during the upcoming Carnival holiday period.
The extraordinary operational window runs from Friday, February 13 through Sunday, February 22, 2026. An increase in arriving passengers was already noticeable this Thursday as travelers began landing for the pre-festival buildup.
Projected Passenger Peaks for Carnival Travel
Airport analytics forecast 84,061 international arrivals between February 13 and 15. The single busiest day for returns, however, is expected to be Wednesday, February 18. More than 10,920 passengers are projected to land in Panama City that day as celebrations conclude.
On the departure side, nearly 70,000 local passengers are set to fly out internationally during the same period. This exodus peaks on Friday, February 13 with 9,810 outbound travelers. Demand remains exceptionally high on Saturday the 14th as well, with over 9,100 scheduled departures.
Popular international destinations for Panamanians mirror the airport’s role as a regional hub. Miami, Bogotá, Orlando, Medellín, and San José top the list. This traffic underscores Tocumen’s critical connectivity between North and South America.
“The Carnival festivities represent one of the periods of greatest tourist movement in Panama,” said Tocumen International Airport General Manager José Ruiz Blanco. [Translated from Spanish] “At Tocumen we have reinforced our operational planning to handle this increase in passengers, guaranteeing fast, safe, orderly, and efficient transit.”
Ruiz Blanco emphasized the goal of ensuring travelers begin or end their celebrations with a positive experience at the nation’s primary aeropuerto internacional. The airport’s management, led by figures like ruiz blanco, frequently coordinates such surge plans.
Operational Plans and Traveler Advice
A comprehensive plan is now active to manage the heightened flow. Airport authorities coordinated with airlines and other aviation system entities to optimize processes. The strategy includes bolstering staff levels in immigration, customs, and security areas.
Officials maintain permanent communication channels between all involved actors to quickly resolve any bottlenecks. Their primary recommendation for passengers is to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled flight.
This extra time allows for smoother completion of check-in, immigration, and security screening. Travelers should also double-check their travel documentation beforehand and strictly avoid packing prohibited items in any luggage.
The official Panama Carnival dates are February 14-17, 2026. This iconic national celebration transforms towns like Las Tablas into vibrant stages for music, dance, and parades. The event consistently draws both local and international visitors, creating an annual stress test for the country’s transportation infrastructure.
Tocumen’s preparations aim to turn that test into a demonstration of efficiency. The airport’s performance during this high-volume period is closely watched as an indicator of Panama’s broader tourism and logistical capacity.