Protesting Indian Highway Closure Causes 30% Passenger Increase At David Airport
Activity at the Enrique Malek International Airport in the city of David, has increased by 30% due to the closure of the Inter American highway since 31 January 2012 by Ngäbe Bugle Indians who oppose mining in the region, and who required the reincorporation of Article 5 into Bill Number 415, which establishes a special regime for the mineral resources, water and environmental issues in the region, and which was agreed upon in 2011. Rafael Fuentes, the administrator of the Enrique Malek airport, said the situation is under control in all activities of the airport.
On the other hand, Nestor Echevers, the manager of Aeroperlas, one of the two domestic airlines, said his company is considering adding a second flight from Panama to David (at 6:50 pm) depending on the number of passengers approaching the terminal. That flight would return at night with passengers from the city of David to the capital, said Echevers on TVN Noticias.
La Prensa could confirm that in the airport in David there are more people than normal, because the land communication is interrupted by closing Ngäbe-Bugle Indians who have warned that the road will not be reopened until the authorities come to talk to them at the site where they are protesting. The people who have come to the airport in David say they have no other option than to return to Panama via plane, and they questioned the authorities who have not sought the way to end the closure of the international route. (Prensa)
Editor's Comment: Right now if you have to get there, flying is your only valid option.
