Guyana and Panama have signed a new Air Services Agreement aimed at strengthening air connectivity, expanding opportunities for passenger and cargo operations, and boosting trade between the two countries.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre by Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar on behalf of Guyana and Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Panama, Captain Rafael Bárcenas Chiari.
According to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the agreement grants airlines up to sixth freedom traffic rights for passenger services and up to seventh freedom rights for cargo operations.
The expanded rights are expected to give airlines greater flexibility in moving passengers and cargo through the two countries while opening additional market opportunities.
Sixth freedom rights generally allow an airline to carry passengers between two foreign countries through its home country. Seventh freedom rights allow an airline to operate services between two foreign countries without the flight having to originate or terminate in the airline’s home country.
The GCAA said the agreement is intended to foster greater cooperation in aviation while supporting increased trade and providing more travel options.
It covers several areas governing air services between Guyana and Panama, including the granting of rights, airline designations and authorisations, recognition of certificates, code-sharing arrangements, tariffs, aviation safety and security, and user charges.
The agreement also places the operations of COPA Airlines between Guyana and Panama under a formal legal framework.
COPA has operated daily flights between the two countries since 2014, but those services were previously conducted under a reciprocity-based arrangement.
The GCAA said the new framework is expected to strengthen commercial and economic relations between the countries while supporting further growth in tourism and trade.
The agreement was initially negotiated and signed at the technical level during the 2025 International Civil Aviation Organisation Air Services Negotiation Event in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Wednesday’s signing took place on the sidelines of the joint International Civil Aviation Organisation and European Union Aviation Safety Agency Third Global Regional Safety Oversight Organisations and Regional Accidents and Incidents Investigations Organisations Forum for Aviation Safety.
Guyana and Panama established diplomatic relations in March 1973.
