From Monday June 2nd, Iberia will increase the frequency of its flights from Madrid to Panama to six weekly flights, and from Sunday July 6th, there will be daily flights.

Iberia’s seat capacity will increase to 2,000 seats a week, a 40 per cent increase, as the destination continues to grow in stature on the international tourism scene.

Iberia will increase its stakes in Panama’s route and Tocumen airport will support the Airbus A330, with 36 business class seats, and 242 economy seats; a total of 278 seats. 

The Spanish airline will also operate flights on the Airbus A340, which totals 289 seats, divided into 24 business seats and 265 economy seats.

Air connectivity is one of the main reasons for the increase in tourists to Panama, according to Ernesto Orillac, vice minister of the Panama Tourist Authority.

“We have KLM, Iberia, and Air France flights from Europe, and soon TAP flights from Portugal. 

“With the new frequent daily flights, there will be more than 25 weekly flights from Europe.”

Orillac indicated that the success in attracting new air routes has resulted in an increase in the number of visitors to Panama; visitors rose from 1.5 million in 2009 to more than 2.2 million in 2013, a 40 per cent increase.

During the same five year period, tourism spending reached $5.078 million, growing 123.8 per cent.