COPA to Bocas
 

Was in Bocas on vacation recently and the Owner of the Overwater Villas that I stayed at had a meeting with the airport officals about a month prior to my arrival about bringing more traffic to the Bocas region. A meeting between COPA, Bocas and the Panamanian Aviation Authority took place and they are looking to extend the runway and add a taxiway at Bocas in order for COPA to run their RJ's direct from PTY in. Right now with NO direct service from PTY and with several BIG companies in the process of building resorts in Bocas due to open 2019 and 2020 they are scrambling to fund the project which is said to have a completion in 3 years. Just figured I'd pass that along. Cheers.

It's interesting.

We dont know what the world looks like in 2019, but for many reasons I don't see CM as an adequate carrier for Bocas. Both in terms of business focus, target segment and fleet.

Bocas tourist board would be better off strenghtening the ties with Air Panama who run a good operation out of PAC. My gut feeling is that people who go to Bocas do it as part of a, say, 2 weeks roundtrip in Panama, or simply come in by bus crossing the border from Costa Rica with stop/transit in David. I have no statistical material to back this up, but is merely based on what I see and hear here in Panama.

It would make no sense for people in Panama City to take a hike out to PTY when they can leave from PAC, and I think CM would have a hard time filling even a E90.
Even I as a PP member of ConnectMiles use AirPanama from PAC on the few occasions that I have to go to DAV.

Bocas del Toro is just not a big destination brand in Latin America.

But again, let's see what the world looks like in 2019. The big developments upthere need to be vacated somehow :)

In terms of local Panama City residents I 100% agree. I also agree that Bocas should not become the next Cancun. However I do think that if available with a stop thru PTY that it would become a much more trafficked and popular destination to go to. The potential 3 hour transfer from Toucmen to Albrook I'm sure deters a big group of people.

Also knowing how things go in Panama it won't be done in 3 years.

As a local Panama City resident, I can say that once the construction starts for the 4th bridge, getting to Albrook soon may be more difficult than PTY. Even without that, I would opt for a flight on an E190, likely upgraded, earning miles, than whatever is offered by Air Panama.

Several months ago I wondered by Copa didn't fly there, until I found out an E190 probably couldn't land safely on Boca's 4900 ft runway as I measured in google earth. Seems like the only way to extend that runway would be a landfill out into the bay there.

While I understand the benefits of Copa and connecting through PTY, I'm quite happy with Air Panama out of Albrook.

Firstly, Air Panama is a nice little airline. Secondly, as others pointed out, I like Boca how it is, without mass tourism. Thirdly, just a runway extension won't help in terms of weather. Currently, there's ILS at Boca, which means that there can be significant delays. Air Panama is good at re-shuffling flights, so you usually get to your destination within the day - but I would not want to risk a tight connection at PTY.

Air Panama has been very bad the few times I have used it this year. Two flights delayed out of albrook with very little updates. Allow very little luggage and weigh strollers and car seats yet my sons weigh 35 pounds. Yet want to charge $2 a pound or something over 30 pounds of checked baggage.

I do agree delays may be a problem for Copa in Bocas.

I would be interested in expansion in David. Why not have a flight continue on to SJO?

OMG - they want Bocas to be another CUN, noooo

I agree with those who say Air Panama is a decent airline. All my flights were on time...

Almost 2 years later now, and a Bocas hotel owner told me Copa was going to start flying there--direct flights from Miami(!). I didn't press for any technical details, but it seems like a pipe dream, or maybe 25-year master plan.