Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY/MPTO) is the country’s largest airport, just east of its capital Panama city. It is also considered the main and largest airport in all of Central America since it was nominated as the “Hub of the Americas”. For sure it’s the hub of one of the most important airlines in Latin America which is Copa Airlines. The airport in general currently holds up connections with more than 80 destinations worldwide – from South America to North America as well as Europe and Asia.

Before the Corona pandemic in 2019 16,5 million passenger used to fly to/from PTY a year. The Airport has 3 terminals (2 for passengers and 1 for cargo), one of which was recently inaugurated.

Written by Pablo Merel, Henry Larch and Jussef (J.A.). Last Change: February 2024 (Spot 4 added)

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
03R/21L	3050m / 10007ft
03L/21R	2682m / 8799ft
Terminals
T1	Copa and some regional foreign carrier
T2	Copa and some international bigger carrier such as Eurowings Discover, KLM and Air France
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed and recommended!
Car/Public Transport	Not neccissarily needed as you can also take the bus/public transport to all spots. But make sure to not show off your expensive equipment.
Drinks/Food	Nothing nearby the spots except a McDonalds close to spot #1. Close to spot 2 you will find some latinamerican restaurants though.
Hotels	El Riande and Crowne plaza hotel are two facilities very close to the airport. But none with special spotting views.
Season	Summer has the best weather, which is quite changing and challenging the rest of the year.
Security	Spotting in Panama is not always tolerated. You have to be very careful since sometimes the culture of spotting is not recognized in the country and many times the authorities are unaware of the issue and misinterpret it with other illegal actions. Sometimes authorities approach you and ask for a brief explanation about our activity: just tell them what you do. But it is possible that they ask you to leave. Just do so and cooperate of course!Normally, if you are standing away from the fence, airport security does not care about us. But also be prepared to be approached by curious local citizens what you are up to. Try to stay in groups, especially on the bridges and keep an eye on your belongings there as it can become quite busy during peak hours!
Runway Usage
03R/21L	Main runway for heavies as it is longer and has a precision approach
03L/21R	Most freighters will use this runway anyway as it is close to the cargo terminal

	Spot #1 – Texaco Gas station – 03R Departures + 21L Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located east of the airport in the village of Tocumen itsself. Just head for the Texaco gas station at the western border of the village. Then position yourself in the area around here as you want as this spot is no exact position.
WHAT	Takeoffs from runway 03R only.
TIME	Only in the morning.
MISC.	Nothing needed, but all you need can be found in the gas station next door.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm E3 = 250mm

PTY-Spot1

PTY-Spot1

PTY-Spot1

	Spot #2 – La Morelos Bridge – All 03L/21R Movements + 03R Departures + 21L Arrivals
WHERE	West of the airport you will find a bigger roundabout just next to a meadow in front of the airport’s fence. Here you will also find the bus stop “Morelo”. To allow passengers to cross the street, a bridge was installed here offering plane spotters a great view onto the runway. Position yourself on the eastern end of this bridge.
WHAT	All movements on runway 03L/21R in front as well as 03R departures and 21L arrivals in the back.
TIME	Afternoons only.
MISC.	Try to stay in groups, especially on the bridges and keep an eye on your belongings there as it can become quite busy during peak hours! Some restaurants nearby and shadow thanks to the bridge’s rooftop. Nothing needed otherwise, but haze can be an issue though. Some pedestrians or passengers may look strange at you or even stop and ask for the purpose. Just explain them nicely…
FOCAL LENGTH	03L: B757 = 145mm / B738 = 230mm 03R: >300mm

PTY-Spot2

PTY-Spot2

PTY-Spot2

PTY-Spot2

PTY-Spot2

PTY-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Roundabout Zona 1 – 03R Arrivals + 21L Departures
WHERE	Southwest of the airport is a small industrial area called “Zona 1” which is surrounded by some meadows. You can simply get here by bus and then position yourself around here for nice views onto the approach.
WHAT	Arrivals on 03R as well as 21L departures.
TIME	Afternoons only.
MISC.	Absolutely nothing around. Some workers may look strange at you or even stop and ask for the purpose. Just explain them nicely.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm DC10 = 155mm / B738 = 280mm

PTY-Spot3

PTY-Spot3

PTY-Spot3

	Spot #4 – Roundabout – 03L movements
WHERE	This spot is next to a roundabout, north of terminal 1 and next to the threshold of runway 03L. The easiest option to reach this place is from Terminal 1. From the arrival level just continue along the road on the grass, until you have reached the roundabout. Should be a 5 minutes walk. Now you can position yourself in this area and you get a great view of the 03L movements.
WHAT	Runway 03L is visible, gates 1 through 5 of Terminal 1, and the taxi ways that lead to the thresh hold of Runway 03L.
TIME	Usually the whole day for 03L arrivals, line-ups from noon until sunset.
MISC.	The fence is very low, so no ladder is needed. The are some barriers where you can climb up too. The place itself is pretty safe as it is a busy area, with lot of traffic coming and going to the terminals. Furthermore there is a bus stop nearby, which is used by the airport staff.
FOCAL LENGTH	The planes are very close so 20-200mm should cover everything.

PTY-Spot4

PTY-Spot4

PTY-Spot4