A Quick Guide to the Domestic Airlines in Central America

A quick guide to domestic airlines in Central America, the little (and sometimes large) puddle jumpers that keep the region connected.

Did you know yesterday was International Civil Aviation Day? If you didn’t, you’re not alone – neither did we until we saw something about it this morning. But, it’s great we saw something, as it gives us an excuse to publish something we’ve been working on anyway… a quick guide to the domestic airlines in Central America.

We’re seven small countries in Central America, so you might not think that domestic flights are worthwhile, with such short distances. But, given the state of the roads, and the fact it takes much longer to drive a distance of, say, one hundred miles in Central America than it does in the United States, you’ll see why they’re essential.

Domestic airlines in Central America, along with the myriad of airstrips around the region – most of them super-basic – help keep remote communities in touch with the societies they exist in.

Sure, they offer a great solution to tourists who want to get around the region fast, but they’re so much more than that.

The idea of International Civil Aviation Day is, according to the United Nations, to “help generate and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of States, and of the unique role of ICAO in helping States to cooperate and realize a truly global rapid transit network at the service of all mankind.”

In other words, International Civil Aviation Day celebrates connectivity, something especially poignant nowadays, when it seems like our leaders are doing their best to divide and disconnect us.

So let’s take a look around the region and introduce you to the domestic airlines connecting travelers, tourists, and local people around Central America.

Except for El Salvador (the smallest country by size), every Central American country boasts its own domestic airline or two (or even three). El Salvador, in fact, used to have TAES, but nowadays this airline operates private charters only.

The aviation industry can play an important role in the #COVID19 recovery, while also helping to support global understanding and solidarity.

Tuesday is International Civil Aviation Day. 🌐✈️ https://t.co/hjyaliPmRU #FlyDay via @icao pic.twitter.com/VQhTpFg97g

— United Nations (@UN) December 7, 2021

Costa Rica:

Costa Rica has two operational domestic airlines, Sansa and Costa Rica Green Airways (it was an Instagram post from Costa Rica Green Airways, in fact, that alerted us to International Civil Aviation Day). You can click here for an in-depth overview of domestic flights in Costa Rica. Sansa and Green Airways base themselves at Juan Santamaría Airport in San Jose, and fly all over the country.

Panama:

Panama‘s main domestic airline is Air Panama, although Bocas Air launched in April 2021 to provide an alternative service between Panama City and Bocas del Toro. Outside of the Bocas, domestic flights in Panama provide easy access between Panama City and David, the Azuero Peninsula, the San Blas Islands, and the remote Darian region. In Panama City, both airlines base themselves at Allbrook Airport, rather than the main international airport.

Nicaragua:

Nicaragua has La Costeña, which helps keep the remote “wild east” of Central America’s largest country connected to Managua and the Pacific coastal region, where most people live. You can also go to Ometepe Island, the Corn Islands, San Carlos on the Rio San Juan, and – international flight fans – Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Traveling around Nicaragua east of Lake Nicaragua isn’t too easy, so La Costeña is essential here.

Honduras:

Honduras is quite well-stacked for domestic airlines, with Aero Caribe, Aerolineas Sosa, and CM Airlines all plying their trade between the Honduran mainland cities of Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and La Ceiba to the Bay Islands of Guanaja, Roatán, and Utila. These airlines also connect the main cities to Honduras’ very own “wild east”, the Moskito Coast, plus international destinations in Belize, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

Guatemala:

Guatemala is home to TAG, based at the La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City. It flies out to the Caribbean coast of Guatemala (Puerto Barrios) and also serves the city of Flores in Petén, gateway to the Mayan ruins of Tikal. TAG is the only domestic airline in Central America that flies to more international destinations than staying in-country. Aside from the domestic options of Puerto Barrios and Flores, TAG flies to various airports in Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, and Belize.

Belize:

And speaking of Belize, it has two domestic airlines itself; Tropic Air and Maya Island Air. Both airlines are based in Belize City and fly all over the country, especially serving the islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, and the beach communities in the south of the country. They’re great ways to get around Belize. Tropic Air also flies internationally to Guatemalan, Honduran, and Mexican destinations.

Adding them up, that’s quite a few airlines (eleven if you’re counting) flying through the skies of Central America.

Not bad for a bunch of small, poor countries. Most of the planes in these airlines fleets are small prop planes seating some 15-20 people max. Air Panama, TAG, and some of the Honduran airlines have some larger planes, though. TAG even has a jet! But for the most part, it’s smaller, lighter planes that work the region, all the better for some of these small, remote airstrips.

Small planes, of course, mean small luggage allowances for passengers. Check with the individual Central American airline direct, but chances are you’re limited on how much you can bring with you. That’s a simple fact of life, and one of the trade offs you get in exchange for speed, excitement, and amazing views.

So what are you wanting for? Whether you live in Central America or you’re traveling in the region, get on a plane and explore somewhere new. And don’t forget to send us a photo or video from the air – we’d be happy to share it!

James Dyde is the editor of centralamerica.com. He lives in Escazu, Costa Rica.