Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here’s the latest.
Copa Could Be Readying To Resume 737 MAX Flights In Panama
Copa Airlines could be near to reactivate its Boeing 737 MAX fleet, according to the latest movements by the carrier. In the last few days, at least three of Copa’s six Boeing 737 MAX have flown around Panama City. So, what else do we know?
Three countries worldwide have already recertified the MAX for commercial operations. The first was the US, followed swiftly by Brazil and Mexico. Already, two of the four Latin American carriers that have MAX fleets have resumed commercial operations with the Boeing narrowbody.
Source: Simple Flying
Panama Canal opens December LNG slot.
The Panama Canal has made another Neopanamax transit slot available for LNG carriers in late December, with just two slots available until the start of March as of 16 December.
The new slot is available on 29 December in either direction for vessels in other market segments, but the direction available for LNG carriers — unspecified by the Canal Authority — will depend on the direction of the other LNG transit booking made for that day. The waterway offers only two daily transit slots to LNG carriers — either one in each direction or two northbound — although it has accommodated up to an additional two transits when demand for transit of the Neopanamax locks from other market segments has weighed on bookings.
Source: Argus Media
Discontent grows in Panama as country sets record in cases, deaths.
Panama broke its daily record of deaths and daily coronavirus cases, exceeding 200,000 accumulated infections, a situation that has saturated several hospitals and generated some manifestations of discontent with the management of the crisis.
Thursday, the Central American country added 42 new deaths and 3,348 new positive cases, the Panamanian government said in its daily statement on the pandemic.
These numbers of deaths and new infections in one day represent a record for Panama, which with 4.2 million inhabitants totals more than 203,000 infections and 3,481 deaths from the coronavirus.
In addition, it is the country in Central America with the most reported Covid-19 infections.
Social discontent has grown, with several union and student demonstrations protesting the government’s handling of the crisis.
Source: Tico Times
2021 UPDATE: Panama’s New Qualified Investor Immigration Program
The “Qualified Investor” immigration program was created by Executive Decree # 722 of the 15th of October of 2020.
The Qualified Investor program offers international investors an “expedited” (30 day process) opportunity to obtain legal permanent residency status in Panama, leading to citizenship in Panama (and a Panama passport).
Please note that this particular Qualified Investor residency program offers a special benefit in that the investor is not required to be present in Panama, to apply for residency. The immigration application can be submitted by the investors lawyer, through a special power of attorney that must be apostilled or authenticated by the Panamanian consulate in the country where it was signed.
