Panama confirms bidding dates for the administration of two regional airports

The Enrique Malek International Airport in David and the Scarlett Martínez International Airport in Río Hato are part of the process to contract a private operator for ten years. Courtesy of Tocumen. Tocumen International Airport confirmed the prequalification schedule for companies interested in managing the Enrique Malek International Airport in David, Chiriquí, and the Scarlett Martínez International Airport in Río Hato, Coclé. The process, whose terms were published on November 6, establishes November 27 as the registration deadline and plans to disclose the list of prequalified companies in February 2027. The state-owned company reported that the reception of prequalification proposals will take place on January 7, 2027, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Subsequently, a commission will evaluate the submitted documentation between January 14 and January 27, while the publication of results is scheduled for February 2, with the possibility of extending until February 11. The schedule also includes optional visits to the two airport facilities, scheduled for November 30 in David and December 2 in Río Hato, both between 9:00 a.m. and noon. The Scarlett Martínez International Airport in Río Hato seeks to expand its air connectivity to strengthen the arrival of tourists to the Panamanian Pacific beaches. Taken from ATP. Furthermore, a homologation meeting will be held on December 4, while the deadline to submit queries, observations, and requests for clarification will expire on December 21. The initiative was authorized by the Cabinet Council on September 29 and seeks to incorporate international experience in airport administration. Tocumen intends to improve the operational and commercial conditions of both terminals, expand air connectivity, and leverage their tourism potential, particularly in the provinces of Chiriquí and Coclé, where important tourist destinations are concentrated. The process has sparked interest from four international operators: Houston Airports, Avports, Corporación América Airports, and Manchester Airports Group, according to José Ruiz, General Manager of Tocumen. The organizations have experience in different markets, although their initial interest does not guarantee that all will participate in the formal prequalification stage. José Ruiz, General Manager of Tocumen International Airport, had previously announced the interest of four international operators in managing the regional terminals of David and Río Hato. Ruiz previously explained that Avports has experience in small and medium-sized airports in the United States, while Corporación América Airports manages terminals in different countries. Manchester Airports Group operates important British facilities, and Houston Airports is linked to the airport system of that American city. The ability to develop routes and attract passengers will be decisive in the future selection. The model establishes a contract for administration, operation, and maintenance for ten years, without transferring ownership of the facilities. Tocumen will retain ownership of both airports and will continue to be responsible for planned infrastructure investments, while the selected operator must strengthen commercial management, develop connectivity opportunities, and improve the utilization of the terminals. The airports of David and Río Hato jointly moved nearly 398,000 passengers in 2025, although their operations registered financial losses. Courtesy of Tocumen. Financial sustainability constitutes one of the main challenges. During 2025, the airports of David and Río Hato jointly moved nearly 398,000 passengers but registered operational losses. Ruiz had indicated that the administration of regional airports represents annual losses exceeding six million dollars for Tocumen, a situation that motivated the search for a specialized management model. Initially, it was evaluated to hand over the terminals through a concession, but this alternative was discarded due to limited interest from the international market in assuming deficit facilities. The operation and maintenance scheme will allow for the incorporation of a specialized administrator without transferring assets, while Tocumen seeks to increase commercial income and progressively reduce the financial pressure generated by both airports. The Enrique A. Jiménez International Airport in Colón could transition to the administration of the Colón Free Zone as part of a strategy to boost its logistics and commercial activity. Taken from SRTV. The Scarlett Martínez International Airport has the potential to expand the arrival of direct tourists to the Pacific beaches, while Enrique Malek constitutes a gateway to the tourist and productive destinations of Chiriquí. The strategy aims for both terminals to develop broader connectivity through new routes, agreements with airlines, and complementary commercial services. The process does not include two other terminals managed by Tocumen. In the case of the Enrique A. Jiménez International Airport in Colón, the Government plans to transfer its operation to the Colón Free Zone, as part of a strategy to link it with the commercial and logistical activities of the province. This initiative requires completing the corresponding procedures before defining its future administrative scheme. For its part, the Panamá Pacífico International Airport would remain under the administration of Tocumen due to its commercial growth and its importance within the national airport system. The terminal, which receives operations from Wingo and the National Naval Aviation Service, would continue to function as an alternative airport to Tocumen International, particularly in the event of adverse weather conditions or other situations affecting the operations of the country's main air terminal.