Increase in Panama internal air traffic

A jump in tourists visiting Chiriqui and Bocas Del Toro, has led to a big jump in passenger payloads for local airlines.

In 2011 Aeroperlas Regional and Air Panama transported 289,000 people to different points inside the country a growth of 19,000 passengers or 7.3% over the previous year. 

Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro are the two biggest destinations for passengers using air transport with 77% of the total or 224,749 people. 
The two provinces are having a huge economic and tourist impact, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). 
Conversely, the movement of people by air to the Guna  Yala district has declined in recent years as the sector can now ve reached by car said Eduardo Stagg, CEO of Air Panama. 

Air transport to Darien is also down in recent years following improved road conditions.
However,  in spite  of decreased demand, Air Panama will fly to those places. 

Regional Aeroperlas, belonging to Avianca, Taca group achieved a 0.5% increase in the transport of people on domestic routes. The airline began offering new destinations like Pedasi, in the province of Los Santos, where they have invested in tourism infrastructure. Aeroperlas also began flying to  Chitre in  Herrera Province.