Civil Aviation Authority grounds Air Panama flights after inspection

Panama’s Civil Aviation Authority (AAC) on Saturday grounded Air Panama flights operated by the Fokker 50 turboprop, impacting travel throughout the Central American country.

The temporary suspension came as a result of “certain investigations” of a regulatory nature, according to an AAC press release.

The organization later allowed for the reactivation of one of the regional airline’s Fokker 50 aircraft following a “thorough inspection of the engine maintenance program.”

“We are working with the AAC and providing the necessary information in order to reestablish service,” a Saturday statement from Air Panama reads.

Air Panama operates four Fokker 50 aircraft, according to Flightradar24. It uses them on several domestic routes and on its international flight between Panama City and Juan Santamaría International Airport near San José, Costa Rica.

That flight operated normally on Sunday with a Fokker 50, according to Flightradar24, though several other Air Panama routes operated by the aircraft type were cancelled over the weekend.

Air Panama is the country’s largest domestic airline and has transported more than 4 million people, according to the carrier.

The Fokker 50 is a regional turboprop that seats up to 56 passengers and can operate from airports with short or unpaved runways, according to the aircraft manufacturer.