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Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

Tocumen International Airport

Compiled by Bill Gao

Tocumen, Panamá Province (Panama)

IATA: PTY ICAO: MPTO

Longest Active Runway

10,006 ft

3,050 meters

Field Elevation

135 ft

41 m MSL

Runway Inventory

2 active

Lighted / Paved

Coordinates & Class

9.0714°, -79.3835°

LARGE AIRPORT

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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

How ranks work →

RunwayFacts Published Dataset

#551 of 650

In curated primary commercial index

Global Commercial Universe

#915 of 7558

Top 12.1% percentile worldwide

National Standing (Panama)

#1 of 1 in PA

#1 of 19 in full national registry

vs Large Airport Median

+0.1%

Compared to 10,000 ft baseline

💡 PTY in numbers: 10,006 ft longest runway · #551 of 650 published · #915 of 7,558 worldwide (top 12.1%) · #1 in Panama.

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Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: Tocumen International Airport (PTY)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

Tocumen International Airport links North, Central, and South America through high-frequency passenger banks. Its parallel runways permit simultaneous visual operations, with 03R/21L providing 10,000 ft of paved surface for transcontinental flights. Positioned along the narrow Isthmus of Panama, PTY benefits from near sea-level air pressure, ensuring high turbine efficiency and maximum range capabilities for Boeing 737 MAX and widebody airliners.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments

Dual parallel runways: 03L/21R (8,800 ft / 2,682 m) and 03R/21L (10,000 ft / 3,050 m).

Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities

Inaugurated in 1947 by President Enrique Adolfo Jiménez; expanded in 1978 and transformed into Copa Airlines' 'Hub of the Americas'. In 2022, opened the vast Norman Foster-designed Terminal 2.

Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role

Primary Central American air connection node, operating alongside domestic secondary hub Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert (PAC, 12 NM west).

Data Nuances & Operational Quirks

Operates under humid tropical lowlands at 135 ft elevation; seasonal convective thunderstorms during the May-November rainy season demand airborne holding fuel reserves and weather radar vigilance.

📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: Panama National Civil Aviation Authority · State Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) & ICAO Annex 14 Standards

Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Longest runway 8,000–10,499 ft

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Elevation & National Context

Lowland Aerodrome (<2,000 ft)

PTY lies at 41 m (135 ft), #413 of 650 published airports by elevation and 31.7 percentile among 7,558 worldwide.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

0 Qualifying Aerodromes in Vicinity

No published neighbour with a paved runway of 5,000 ft or more within 100 NM of PTY. Nearest published airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), 291 NM, 9,882 ft (124 ft shorter than PTY); none other within 250 NM.

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Runway Inventory & National Standing

Primary Runway: 10,006 ft (3,050 m)

PTY runways: 03R/21L 10,006 × 148 ft concrete (con); 03L/21R 8,800 × 200 ft asphalt (asp). +0.1% vs the 10,000 ft baseline.

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator	Length (ft / m)	Width (ft / m)	Surface Material	Lighting	Status
03R/21L	10,006 ft (3050 m / 3.050 km)	148 ft (45m)	`Concrete (CON)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
03L/21R	8,800 ft (2682 m / 2.682 km)	200 ft (61m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active

🛡️ Source: OurAirports Open Aviation Database, snapshot 2026-09-01 · Provenance →