International flight ban extended to July 23

Expats  who have  announced their intention of fleeing Panama  in June will have more time to pack their bags as the ban on international flights has been  extended until July 23, “for reasons of public health.”

The announcement was made   Wednesday, June 17, by Gustavo Pérez Morales, director of the Civil Aeronautical Authority (AAC) . All humanitarian flights and those that transport equipment or supplies necessary to face the coronavirus pandemic are excepted.

Commercial and passenger flights were banned March 23, and were originally supposed to restart on May 23, but since then, the AAC has extended the measure, first until June 22 and now until July 23.

The suspension involves changes in the schedule of the Panamanian flag line Copa Airlines,  that on June 3 announced that on June 3 it was preparing to restart operations.

Air transport is included in the fourth phase of the economic recovery plan. The first started on May 13 and the second on June 1. There is still no date for the activation of the other phases.