Does it make sense to be one of the few countries to charge for transit? The draft bill proposing to charge transit passengers is based on a flawed premise. Panama built one of its greatest competitive advantages in terms of connectivity. Panama needs strategic vision, not decisions that make its main advantage more expensive. Those who transit through Panama do so because it is convenient for them. This flow is not captive: it is highly price-sensitive. Tocumen is not just an airport; it is a strategic platform for commerce, tourism, and investment. Is it not penalizing the success of your own hub? Weakening this ecosystem without serious analysis is playing with a key asset. Any extra cost could redirect routes to Bogotá, Lima, or other airports. More than raising revenue, there is a risk of losing volume, routes, and competitiveness. Weakening Tocumen is weakening the country. Furthermore, proposals without technical backing send signals of improvisation and uncertainty.
