Domestic airline closes its doors

Days after  an announcement that domestic air traffic was on the upswing a local airline which has been serving Panama for  43 years, has  suspended operations,

 Aeroperlas,  which belongs to Avianca, Taca, began operations in 1969, closed its doord on Wednesday February 29.

 "The suspension process is performed in compliance with current legislation," said a company press release. This also includes the sectors related to operations: suppliers, distribution channels, employees and customers. 
Passenger, can reach representatives of the airline at         378-6000       to check their status and to arrange for reimbursement.
Aeroperlas operated from the  Marcos A. Gelabert, airport in Albrook, and flews  to Chiriqui, Bocas del Toro and Contadora Island with a connection to international flights from Tocumen International Airport. 

According to company reports, in 2011 it carried 222,113 passengers and GAINST  110,979  in 2010 representing a slight increase of 2.02%. 
 To date Panama had only two domestic airlines: Aeroperlas and Air Panama. The Civil Aviation Authority reported that passenger growth  in 2011 wa 7.33%, after declining 11% reported the previous year. 
 In the statement giving its decision, Aeroperlas said, without elaborating, that it "hopes that, in unity with the judgment of the authorities, there can be a future, new model of operations  to contribute to economic growth, and the  social and cultural development of the Republic of Panama."