Our special guest has a Bachelor of Science from the Christian University of Science and Arts, Oklahoma, United States. Additionally, took courses on Senior Management and Business / Family Administration at INCAE. He has more than 30 years of professional experience in the industrial, business and commercial area, as well as in the agricultural sector. An active member at the Veraguas Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, President of Pro-Veraguas Foundation and the National Livestock Association – Veraguas chapter. In 2019 Raffoul Arab Pinzón was appointed as General Manager of Tocumen International Airport for the 2019-2024 period.
How Tocumen International Airport la Getting Ready to comply with sanitary protocols and thus be able to resume operations?
“Tocumen International Airport, is the main connection port for Latin America and the Caribbean, and has drawn up the first version of the” road map “locally to safely restart the transit, entry and exit of passengers through air terminals under our control. ” Among the protection variants, it has been proposed to adapt the physical distance in accordance with the regulations and criteria suggested by the Panama Ministry of Health; reorganize the flow of passengers at the migration control points; check-in or billing posts, installation of acrylic dividers, signage on floors and waiting rooms for physical separation, in addition to exclusive trays for footwear in the inspection area, ensuring the correct disinfection of equipment and infrastructure on a frequent basis; in addition to limiting the access of companions to the air terminals ”.
What biosecurity equipment has been installed at the airport for greater peace of mind for passengers and their staff?
“In addition to the permanent presence of officials from the Ministry of Health, and the request to travelers who will fill in a form with general data (place of lodging and location) when entering the country; the security protocol includes the placement of thermal cameras to measure the body temperature of passengers and staff, with an alert system in case a certain person exceeds the established levels; sanitizing gel dispensers; maintenance personnel perform deep cleaning throughout the terminal, focusing on the so-called high-contact areas such as handrails, escalators, elevator buttons, counters, kiosks, chairs and bathroom doors, among others. ”
“There will also be biosafety controls on the premises for the sale of products, especially food, always following the highest safety standards for our users.”
What have you learned in this period when the air terminal has been operating to allow the departure and arrival of humanitarian flights?
“The departure and arrival of humanitarian flights, as well as repatriation, have offered us the great opportunity to check the various measures to prevent Covid-19 infections at different stages of the trip, inside Tocumen Airport, such as human distancing recommended by scientists, the use of masks, minimize physical contact in phases such as billing or check-in, temperature control and limit the entry of companions to the air terminal, verify that travelers follow the floor marks on the ground to keep distances, among other health protocols. The best lesson learned that has allowed us to work with each of the teams, towards short and long-term goals, is that we are able to respond to the current demand of the global emergency. ”
What challenges will you have to face as a Panamanian company to help the country in the economic recovery and the tourism sector that has been greatly affected?
“Attention is now beginning to focus on the future and on how Tocumen International Airport hopes to gradually return to the new normal. The coming months will be a challenge for the airline industry and tourism, but our goal is to help reduce the economic impact, recover the growth rate in post-Covid-19 passenger traffic; ensure the continuity of operations, provide the necessary facilities to current and new airlines that wish to take advantage of Panama’s strategic geographic position; preserve the health of our collaborators and passengers, by strictly complying with the protocols established by the Panamanian health authorities ”.
How important is the opening of Tocumen International Airport and therefore of international flights for the economic revival of Panama?
“Tocumen International Airport, is the main hub of connections in the region, allows connecting the north with the south, where the main world traffic routes are located. Panama’s geographical position has allowed us to position ourselves as one of the most important logistics centers in the Western Hemisphere for the collection and distribution of world cargo, is a bridge for the mobilization of passengers throughout the American Continent; a connection center for more than 70% of the passengers who use these airport facilities ”.
“In 2019, 16.5 million passengers passed through Tocumen International Airport, currently has 94 passenger and cargo destinations to 39 countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia, representing 4.5% of the country’s GDP, plus the aviation industry generates 14.8% of Panama’s GDP ”.
