Air Panama

Infobox Airline
airline=Air Panama
logo=Air Panama 2008 Logo.pnglogo_size=175
IATA=PST
ICAO=PST
callsign=AIRPANAMA
parent=PARSA, S.A.
founded=1980 (as Turismo Aereo)
headquarters=Panama City, Panama
key_people= all 175 employees
hubs=E. Malek Int´l Airport David, Panama
M. A. Gelabert Int´l Airport Panama City, Panama
frequent_flyer=Todos Quieren Volar
lounge=VIP Lounges
alliance=Turismo Aereo
fleet_size=16
destinations=22+
company_slogan=We Are Flying
website= http://www.flyairpanama.com|

Air Panama is an international airline based in Panama City. It provides air services throughout Panama and to San José, Costa Rica, It is Panama's second largest airline.

History

The airline was originally a joint venture between Iberia Airlines and the Panamanian government. In the late 1970s Iberia Airlines sold their shares entirely to the Panamanian government, who became sole propietor. During the 1980s Air Panama services declined, and it was left with a single Boeing 727-100 by 1989. After the United States invasion of Panama in 1989 the only airplane owned by Air Panama was damaged by gunfire, and was written off from service. When the new government was installed, efforts were made to privatize the airline. However, the airline union hampered the efforts by demanding that their past salaries were covered by the new operator. As no agreement could be met, the government dropped the privatization idea.

The New Air Panama

The Air Panama trademark was allowed to lapse, and the name (with a different logo from the original Air Panama) is now used by a regional carrier which forms the present Air Panama. The "new" Air Panama began operating under its current name in early 2006. Previously, the same airline operated under the name "Turismo Aéreo". Air Panama has grown to account for more than half of the domestic commercial air travel market in Panama, offering more destinations than any other regional carrier in the country.

Destinations

*Panama City
*David
*Bocas del Toro
*Changuinola
*Pearl Islands (Isla Contadora, San José Island, San Miguel)
*Darién (Piña Bay, La Palma, El Real, Garachine, Sambú)
*San Blas Islands (El Porvenir, Cartí, Río Sidra, Corazón de Jesús, Achutupo, Mamitupo, Playón Chico, Tupile, Mulatupo, Ogobsucum, Tubalá)
*Chitré,Pedasí
*San José, Costa Rica

Other Services: domestic and international charter (passengers or cargo) flights.

Fleet

*1 Bombardier Dash 8 Q300
*4 Fokker F27 - pax(1) + cargo(3)
*2 De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
*1 CASA 212-100 Aviocar
*1 Cessna 208B Caravan
*3 Britten-Norman BN2 Islander
*2 Piper PA-34 Seneca
*1 Cessna 182 Skylane

The airline is currently upgrading its fleet with the de Havilland Canada Dash-8 type aircraft.

Airline's Safety Record

In 2007, according to official statistics of the Civil Aviation Authority (AAC) of Panama, Air Panama suffered a total aircraft loss. No deaths or serious injuries were suffered by passengers on board in these event.

For more information of accidents and incidents in Panamá see the Aviation Safety Net website.

External links

* [http://www.flyairpanama.com Air Panama]

References