Panama has a good domestic flight network, the main domestic airlines are Mapiex and Aeroperlas, assessed by the US Federal Aviation as operated in compliance with international aviation standards. All domestic airlines operate out of Panama’s main domestic airport, Aeropuerto Marcos A. Gelabert, located in the Albrook area of Panama City, commonly known as Albrook Airport. Be aware that baggage weight allowance on domestic flights is a total of 25 lbs. for checked baggage and carry on combined. You will also be asked to state your body weight at check in. The small domestic planes have maximum weight limits. Overweight charges (for baggage) varies according to destination, but is rarely more than $1.00 per pound.

Car rental…

Car rental is fairly expensive in Panama. Car rental agencies have offices at most airports, and locations in main cities. Major rental agencies include National, Thrifty, Budget, Avis and Hertz. Rates generally include mandatory insurance and unlimited mileage. To rent a car, you must be 25 years of age (23 if you pay by AMEX) and hold a valid driver’s license. When you accept your rental car be sure to inspect it carefully and note any damages, scratches, or missing items on the rental agreement, as you could be charged when the car is returned.

Taxis…

In Panama City and other major cities, it is not necessary to rent a car as taxis are reasonably priced and readily available – except when it is raining! Taxis can be hailed on the street and often sound their horn to show their availability. Don’t be surprised that the taxi that stops for you already contains other passengers. Taxis do not operate with meters although there are fixed rates for certain destinations. Do not be afraid to bargain for longer distances. Consult your hotel information desk for rate recommendations. Taxis can also be rented by the hour or for longer periods.

Bus services…

Panama has an excellent, inexpensive bus system linking most communities in the country. The main bus terminal is close to Albrook Airport. Routes between major cities are served by large Mercedes air-conditioned buses with video screens and reclining seats. Coaster buses run on smaller town links. The buses are very cheap. However, smaller urban and suburban routes can be slow and crowded.

source:Business Panama

Panama’s national airline COPA flies to major cities in South America and cities in the USA in alliance with Continental Airlines.

Land crossings are also possible from Costa Rica with border points at Paso Canoas, Sixaola/Guabito and Rio Sereno. However, there are no roads linking Panama and Colombia. Panama City is approximately 5000 km by road from the nearest US city Brownsville, Texas. However, the costs of insurance, fuel, permits, accommodations etc. usually amount to more than the cost of an airline ticket, so most visitors choose to fly and rent a car upon arrival in Panama.

Additional requirements vary according to nationality and are subject to change. You are recommended to check with a Panamanian Consulate or Embassy or ticketing agents for airlines that fly to Panama to obtain the most updated information.

At the time of writing, nationals from the following countries do NOT REQUIRE any further documentation: Argentina, Austria, Belgium Costa Rica, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Luxemburg, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland and UK.

Nationals from the following countries do REQUIRE a tourist card (US $5) or a tourist visa, available from Panamanian embassies and consulates, airlines serving Panama, border crossings, or at the international airport : Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, Granada, Greece, Guyana, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, San Marino, South Korea, Suriname, Taiwan, Tobago, Trinidad, USA, Venezuela.

Nationals from Chad, Ecuador, Egypt, Philippines, Peru, Dominican Republic and Thailand require tourist visas and should contact an embassy or consulate.

If your country is not listed above, contact your nearest Panamanian Consulate or Embassy or the Panamanian Immigration office Tel: 507-227-1448 Fax: 507-227-1227

Upon entry, every visitor is given a stamp allowing him or her to remain in Panama as a tourist for 90 days. This may be extended by applying to an immigration office in Panama City, David or Chitre, the only offices that can issue an extension.

For information regarding Pensionado and other Residence Visas, 2nd Passports etc. click here

You may enter Panama with 200 cigarettes and 3 bottles of liquor tax free. If you try to leave Panama with articles made from endangered species you may be severely punished.

Please note: There is a US$20 departure tax when you leave Panama.

Source: Business Panama

From Spain: Iberia
From Holland: KLM
From China or Taiwan: EVA AIR

The following cities in the USA are currently the main connection points for
flights to and from Panama: Miami, Orlando, Houston, Newark, New York, Washington DC, Dallas, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Panama’s International Airport is Tocumen International Airport (PTY), 35 Kilometers from downtown Panama City.

Panama has a good domestic flight network, the main domestic airlines are Mapiex and Aeroperlas, assessed by the US Federal Aviation as operated in compliance with international aviation standards. All domestic airlines operate out of Panama’s main domestic airport, Aeropuerto Marcos A. Gelabert, located in the Albrook area of Panama City, commonly known as Albrook Airport.

Be aware that baggage weight allowance on domestic flights is a total of 25 lbs. for checked baggage and carry on combined. You will also be asked to state your body weight at check in. The small domestic planes have maximum weight limits. Overweight charges (for baggage) varies according to destination, but is rarely more than $1.00 per pound.

Source: Vacations Costarica

To make the most of its central location between north and south, it is billing itself as a so-called “hub of the Americas.” Traditionally Miami and Silo Paulo have been the main points for jetting among Latin American airports, but that could change. The regional market, especially business travelers, has proven to be a lucrative niche.

Passengers say they like the shorter flights they take on Copa planes. Paolo Allegrini, South and Central America sales manager for the Plymouth, a U.S. rubber company, says he spends more than half of his working time flying up and down the Americas. Traveling from Brazil to Medellin or Caracas may be a bit of a headache, but connections at Panama City are swift and quite hassle free, he says. “The Panama hub is a great convenience,” he says. “Most of the time it works out quicker and much cheaper than Varig.”

While Copa has done all it can to boost business by making connections less stressful for high-margin business passengers, politics may help it out even more. Panama City has thrown its hat into the ring to host the permanent secretariat of the Free Trade Area or the Americas (FTAA), a hemispheric trade pact being negotiated by the 34 countries in the hemisphere. The city that lands this secretariat will create thousands of jobs. Miami and Port of Spain, Trinidad, among others, are also vying for the spot.

Even as fuel costs rise and competitors pull back, the carrier hasn’t been afraid to grow. From its Tocumen airport base in Panama City, Copa has expanded its network to 31 destinations in 20 countries, including most of South America’s capital cities. In January, Copa added new routes to Buenos Aires and the number of weekly flights with Brazil has risen to 11. It’s now adding a new daily flight to Sao Paulo and to Buenos Aires and increasing the number frequencies it services to other destinations such as Cancun and Orlando, Florida.

Copa, which is private, does not reveal how much money it makes, but it is an expanding airline in a crisis-ridden industry. Its available seat mileage rate, which measures its capacity to carry passengers, grew 13% in 2003. In 2004, the company expected traffic to grow another 13% and then jump to 21% in 2005.

Emboldened, in 2004 Copa bought 10 Embraer 190 jets. The airline has an option to buy another 20, which could bring the deal to $900 million. It was the first order for that type of aircraft by a Latin American carrier. The purchase also adds to its fleet of 29 Boeing 737s.

Copa CEO Pedro Heilbron brushes off concern about any increased overhead and the extra costs of maintaining a fleet of mixed aircraft. Before the purchase of the Embraer planes, Copa operated only Boeing planes. “We took a close look at all the factors involved, and this was the best option,” he says. “We end up gaining from this choice.”

Purchasing aside, the carrier will strengthen the synergies it has with Continental by joining the Sky Team international alliance of airlines, which includes Air France-KLM and Delta Airlines. Copa is now an associate member.

Strength. Even suppliers say Copa is a success. “It’s a business model for the industry. Few airlines have been able to weather the storm in recent years,” says Fred Curado, vice president of Embraer. “Fleet diversification is a brave move. It’s exactly what JetBlue has been doing,” Curado says, referring to U.S. low-cost pioneer JetBlue.

Copa Chairman Alberto Motta, now well into his 80s, recalls years ago when he joined Panamanian carrier Copa as a director. While still the controlling stakeholder in Copa, Motta today has taken a backseat to day-to-day company affairs. His most telling business move dates back from 1998, when he sold a 49% stake in Copa to Continental Airlines for an undisclosed sum.

The backing of a solid international partner allowed him to expand the company well beyond Central America’s borders. It also gave the airline enough financial muscle to endure the bruises the airline industry would take in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States. “This considerably strengthened our credit position as we were able to start buying aircraft and expand,” says Motta.

Once upon a time, Copa flew only to Costa Rica on a DC-3 aircraft. Today, the carrier flies 1.6 million passengers a year across the hemisphere. It has a long way to go: American Airlines, long the region’s biggest carrier, says it has 703 planes and flew 15 million passengers through its Miami hub.

THIERRY OGIER * PANAMA CITY

COPYRIGHT 2005 Freedom Magazines, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

Schedule for non-stop service effective Janaury 31, 2008(1):

To Panama City from: Depart Arrive Flight # Stops Frequency Fort Lauderdale 11:00 pm 2:00 am 907 0 Monday, Thursday and Saturday

From Panama City to: Depart Arrive Flight # Stops Frequency Fort Lauderdale 2:50 am 5:45 am 914 0 Tuesday, Friday and Sunday

(1) Subject to foreign government approval

Fares: From Fort Lauderdale to Panama

$8.00

January 31, February 2,4,7,9,11 14, & 16

From Panama to Fort Lauderdale

$8.00

February 1,3,5,8,10,12,15,17

From Fort Lauderdale to Panama

$88.00

Valid for travel January 31, 2008 through April 30, 2008. Last day to purchase is November 2, 2007.

From Panama to Fort Lauderdale

$88.00

Valid for travel January 31, 2007 through April 30, 2008. Last day to purchase is November 2, 2007.

$8 must be booked on spiritair.com by 11:59 PM ET on November 2, 2007 for travel on the dates as specified by individual market and by market direction. All fares are for coach class travel unless otherwise indicated and reflect the spiritair.com discount. $88 fares are valid for travel between January 31, 2008 and April 30, 2008, but must be booked on spiritair.com by 11:59 PM ET on November 2, 2007. Fares are each way based on roundtrip purchase, and roundtrip travel is required, but these fares may be combined with other valid and applicable Spirit Airlines fares on other days of the week. Not all markets are operated on a daily basis — please check spiritair.com for details. All fares listed on spiritair.com are per customer for each way of travel and include the base fare plus a federal excise tax. Fares do not include (a) a segment tax of $3.40 per U.S. domestic flight segment (a flight segment is defined as one takeoff and landing) of a passenger’s itinerary; (b) up to $18 per round trip in local airport charges; or (c) a September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement originating at a U.S. airport. International itineraries do not include governmental taxes and fees (including U.S. government excise tax) of up to $125 per round trip. Additionally, if sold in, or travel originates in a country outside of the U.S., additional taxes may apply (up to 22% of the fare value per country). Fares are capacity controlled and subject to availability, and will be highly restricted around certain holiday periods. Previously purchased tickets may not be exchanged for these new sale fares. Certain restrictions apply. For best results, please book early.

About Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines, Inc. is the largest Ultra Low Cost Carrier in the United States, Latin America and The Caribbean. Its all-Airbus fleet, the youngest in the Americas, flies more than 185 daily flights to 36 destinations. The company is based in Miramar, Florida, and employs 2,200 professionals.

Aero Republica passenger traffic (RPM) for October 2007 decreased 10.5%, while capacity (ASM) increased 4.5%. Aero Republica’s load factor for the month was 57.4%, a 9.6 percentage point decrease when compared to October 2006.

Copa Holdings, through its Copa Airlines and Aero Republica operating subsidiaries, is a leading Latin American provider of passenger and cargo service. Copa Airlines, based in Panama, currently offers approximately 126 daily scheduled flights to 40 destinations in 21 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. In addition, Copa Airlines provides passengers with access to flights to more than 120 other international destinations through code share agreements with Continental Airlines and other airlines. Aero Republica, the second-largest domestic carrier in Colombia, provides service to 12 cities in Colombia as well as international connectivity with Copa Airlines’ Hub of the Americas through flights from Bogota, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cartagena and Medellin.

Copa bought its shares for an undisclosed sum from US and British investment groups, which also hold shares in Venezuela’s Aeropostal. It is unclear how Copa’s purchase will affect the alliance that Aeropostal unveiled last year with AeroRepublica and other carriers in Central America. The same investor groups that sold their AeroRepublica shares are reported to be interested in selling out of Aeropostal too.

Copa’s final equity stake will depend on how many minority shareholders elect to accept its offer.

Copa Airlines of Panama has unveiled a new company image, the result of an alliance with Continental Airlines. The new look is shown on a Boeing 737-700, one of 12 scheduled for delivery over the next few years to replace existing aircraft. Copa Airlines has also added features to its service, including its Clase Ejecutiva - a business class cabin - and full participation in Continental’s OnePass frequent flier programme.

“We have designed our new image to build recognition of our brand among our customers everywhere we fly in the Americas. The new image truly captures who Copa Airlines is today and expresses the company’s attitude and its commitment to its customers,” says Pedro Heilbron, executive president of Copa Airlines.

Copa and Continental have rescheduled their international flights so they align and they intend to implement codesharing on international flights to the USA, the Caribbean, and Central and South America destinations, once government approval has been received.

Civil Aviation spokesman Victor De La Hoz told Panamanian television that the authorities “deny any attempt or report of a hijacking” on board Copa Airlines flight 231.

De la Hoz said the misunderstanding started when flight attendants served breakfast on board and noticed that one knife was missing in the first-class section of the plane. The subsequent search showed that one of the passengers had grabbed the knife as a “souvenir.”

Airport security officials arrested the man pending further investigation after the plane landed safely.

De La Hoz stressed that Panamanian authorities did not want to cause unnecessary alarm that might affect tourism.

A group of young Israelis caused a similar incident in Panama several years ago, when they took out toy water guns on board a flight.