$5 million for airports

The program is planning to build the shoulder and platform of the Bocas del Toro Island airport, the resurfacing of the runway of El Real Santamaría airport in the province of Darien, the construction of the new Puerto Obaldia airport in the Kuna Yala Comarca, the remodeling of the Passengers Terminal and construction of the new runway at the Marcos A. Gelabert airport.

The investment program is part of the government plan to improve the national airport net, that has been neglected in recent years.

The airports’ improvement will allow inhabitants of somehow isolated areas, where terrestrial transport is difficult, to connect with the capital city and be able to sell their products to the local market.

The tourism sector will also benefit from better airports’ facilities, because more visitors will be able to go to places that would otherwise be out of their reach. As a result local economies will receive a much needed injection of revenues.

Many communities around the areas of Darien, Bocas del Toro and San Blas want more airports to be constructed, but the government has not given them any answers.