New airport to cost $50-$60 million

Panama’s new international airport in Anton, Cocle Province will cost between $50 and $60 million says  Civil Aviation Authority Director Rafael Bárcenas.

At a meeting on Thursday, March 10, he told local elected  and business representatives that  it has not yet  been decided if a tunnel  for the Pan-American Highway  will  be built under the airstrip.

The highway currently crosses the existing runway of the former U.S. military airport.  An alternative proposal would be to extend the north end of the runway. Bárcenas said that staff of the Ministry of Public Works and aviation officials are doing studies to determine the best option.

He  warned local authorities to ensure that nearby  development projects have height limitations, to avoid  creating a safety hazard when the airport is opened.