Enrique Malek International Airport

Aeropuerto Internacional Enrique Malek
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerTocumen S.A.
ServesDavid Sur, Panama
Focus city forAir Panama, Copa Airlines
Elevation AMSL89 ft / 27 m
Coordinates8°23′30″N 82°26′04″W / 8.39167°N 82.43444°W / 8.39167; -82.43444
Websiteenriquemalekinternational.com
Map
DAV is located in Panama
DAV
DAV
Location within Chiriqui
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
04/22 2,600 8,530 Asphalt
Source: GCM[1] SkyVector[2]

Enrique Malek International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional Enrique Malek) (IATA: DAV, ICAO: MPDA) is an international airport serving David Sur, a city in the Chiriquí Province of Panama.

During heavy travel times, the airport registers 900 operations monthly, serving approximately 20,000 passengers from Mexico, the United States, Canada and Central America.

Facilities and expansion

The airport is on the south side of the city, 4 kilometres (2 mi) from downtown.

In early 2009, the Chiriqui regional director for the Authority of Civil Aeronautics (AAC), Inés de Esquivel, informed La Estrella: "...in the last five years, $1.5 million in investments have been made for the improvement of various areas at the Enrique Malek airport."[3]

An estimated US$12 million improvement fund was passed by the Panamanian legislature that included runway expansion to allow for heavy aircraft. Additionally, the DAV perimeter fencing, first responders, hospitals, security, baggage claim, and terminal facilities were all included in the expansion. The airport ramp and fueling facilities were expanded between 2008 and 2009. The extension of the runway from 2,100 to 2,600 metres (6,900 to 8,500 ft) began in 2010.[4]

The former terminal was demolished and a new one built. When construction had finished, daily flights from Air Panama began. Also car rentals commenced operations in the new terminal. The international flight terminal receives numerous daily flights from Copa Airlines and Air Panama.

History

Known as David Field or San Jose Field during World War II, the airport was an auxiliary of Howard Field, which is near Panama City. It accommodated a variety of United States Army Air Forces personnel, dedicated for the most part in training and reconnaissance missions over the Southeast Pacific coastline, from Honduras in the north, to Peru in the south as part of the defense of the Panama Canal. Enrique Malek International Airport was first built in 1941 as part of an agreement between the U.S and Panama. Wartime units assigned to the airfield were:

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
Air Panama Panama City–Albrook
Arrendamientos Aéreos Charter: Panama City–Albrook
Copa Airlines Panama City–Tocumen
Wingo Panama City–Balboa[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Airport information for Enrique Malek International Airport at Great Circle Mapper.
  2. ↑ "Enrique Malik Airport". SkyVector. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  3. ↑ Panama: Expanding the Enrique Malek Airport - CentralAmericaData
  4. ↑ Google Earth Historical Imagery (1/2/2011)
  5. ↑ Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
  6. ↑ "Wingo Begins Domestic Panama Service From August 2023". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
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