American Airlines has closed its commercial office in Panama City, located in Marbella, in Plaza Nueva York, as part of a global plan to restructure its commercial strategy to reduce costs and strengthen digital sales channels.

The commercial operation in Panama was managed by an outsourced service in which four people worked.

The airline reported that it will focus on direct sales through American Airlines' own channels, such as its website, call center, or counter located at the Tocumen International Airport. Air tickets can also be purchased at authorized travel agencies.

“We have evolved many of our commercial offerings in recent months to build a more resilient and profitable airline. As part of this work, we are announcing changes to the structure of our sales team, which will allow us to better serve an evolving market and support our customers' preferences and how they want to book their travel," said a company spokesperson when asked about the closure of the offices in Panama.

The president of the Panamanian Association of Travel Agencies, Noris Brea, clarified that the airline maintains its air operations between Panama and the city of Miami, with two daily flights, so that users can continue planning their itineraries with the different travel agencies.

In a statement posted on the door of the old office in Marbella, the airline reports that the ticket purchase counter at the Tocumen International Airport is open daily between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and that they continue to operate in Panama, as well as the rest of the region of Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

“This summer American is operating up to 314 daily flights to 90 destinations in the region, representing a 12% increase in seat capacity compared to summer 2019,” the airline said in the statement.