Air operations to and from Panama recovered and are at 85% of pre-pandemic levels according to the air connectivity report of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which measures the market month by month after the restart of flights due to the pandemic.

"The 85% recovery of international air connectivity compared to November 2019 is due to the joint work between the government of Panama and the air transport industry," said David Hernández, IATA representative for Central America, Cuba, Ecuador to Martes Financiero. and Venezuela.

The international air connectivity indicator measured by IATA takes into account the number of seats available and the size of the aircraft serving the different routes. By November 2020, connectivity was 66% below January 2020 levels. Panama officially restarted commercial flights on October 12, 2020.

With 85% of Panama's air connectivity capacity, the country ranks third in November in countries with the highest international flight connections in the region. Mexico ranks first with more than 100% recovery of all international air routes that operate to and from the different airports, as well as domestic destinations. The country never closed air operations, and even now increased them. And in second place is Colombia, which registers 90% connectivity compared to the pre-pandemic months.

By region, Panama has recovered 88% of connectivity and intraregional flights, that is, with Latin America and the Caribbean compared to November 2019; In the case of destinations to North America, which includes Canada and the United States, the recovery of air operations is 85% in November 2021 and with Europe the connectivity levels of air routes to and from Panama are 76%. compared to November 2019 as detailed in the IATA report.