The Council of Ministers approved Bill 7-25, which authorizes the air services agreement between Panama and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Now it is the turn for the National Assembly, after Foreign Minister Javier Martínez Acha received instructions to present it for discussion. With this step, Panama seeks to strengthen air connectivity with the Middle East, both directly and indirectly. The bet is clear: more trade, more investment, and more tourists coming to the country. The agreement was signed on June 16, 2025, in Paris, by Rafael Bárcenas, director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Panama, and Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia. The document establishes the rules of the game so that airlines from both countries can operate international routes under equal conditions. Among the agreed points is the right to fly over territory without landing, make technical stops, and operate flights to board and disembark passengers, cargo, and mail. It also establishes a route network that will allow Panamanian airlines to fly from points in Panama to Saudi Arabia, with intermediate stops or destinations beyond. With this, the country seeks to reinforce its role as the 'Hub of the Americas,' opening the door to new intercontinental connections and expanding its presence in the international air market.
