Central America’s airfreight market is entering a period of change, shaped by shifting global supply chains and rising consumer demand for speed. e-commerce is surging, supply chains are diversifying, and North American manufacturers are increasingly turning to nearshoring. At the same time, investment in airport infrastructure and electrification of ground support equipment signals a growing commitment to sustainability and efficiency.
Over the next five years, the region is expected to gain strategic importance as a logistics hub, particularly for time-sensitive cargo. Cargo volumes and capacity are forecast to grow steadily, with Guatemala and Panama strengthening connectivity and operational standards to capture a larger share of trade flows.
Cargo mix of the future
The rise of e-commerce is reshaping demand patterns. LAATS noted that electronics and high-value perishables—such as fresh food and flowers—are fuelling growth. These categories are closely tied to shifts in global supply chains, as companies seek shorter delivery times and more reliable logistics routes.
“The shift toward nearshoring has placed Central America in a favourable position as an alternative manufacturing and logistics base closer to North America,” the company highlighted. Guatemala, for example, benefits from both its geographic location and skilled workforce. LAATS cautioned that the opportunity can only be fully realised if countries continue to invest in airport infrastructure, digitalisation, and regulatory alignment.
Nearshoring is already visible in airfreight. “We have seen increased interest from international partners and clients as a result of this trend, particularly in cargo operations connected to just-in-time production and inventory systems.”
Airports are emerging as focal points in this new logistics landscape. La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala remains a major hub, with LAATS managing all regular cargo flights there. Mundo Maya International Airport is being developed as a potential logistics centre, while in Panama, Tocumen International Airport continues to expand on the back of policy support, geography, and international partnerships.
The multimodal challenge
While airfreight demand is growing, infrastructure integration remains a major hurdle. “The integration between sea and land transport is not yet 100 percent effectively aligned; many airports are not properly connected by land to ports, except for Panama,” LAATS explained. Rail transport, he added, is “almost nonexistent or insignificant in Central America.”
These limitations hinder seamless multimodal logistics networks, critical for efficiency and competitiveness. High-potential corridors exist in Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, but capitalising on them requires coordinated investment. Free trade zones and special economic areas are helping to boost airfreight flows. “By offering tax incentives and simplified customs procedures, these zones attract investment and promote production and export of goods, which in turn generates a greater flow of goods often transported by air,” LAATS said.
Customs harmonisation and digitalisation
Regulatory fragmentation remains a barrier. Since 2017, efforts have been made to harmonise customs regulations across Central America so the region can operate “as a single territory” in customs terms. LAATS said this would “further boost the efficiency of trade between countries,” but acknowledged that “there is still a long way to go and the political will of the countries to achieve this 100 percent.”
Progress has been made in customs digitalisation and automation. “Significant progress has been made, such as the improvement of customs processes with the electronic DUCA-F for exports from Central America to Panama,” LAATS noted. The Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA) is driving ongoing improvements, including automation, electronic documentation, and risk-based inspection models. “We know we are still slightly behind other regions, but efforts are ongoing.”
Shifting cargo trends
The mix of goods moving by air is evolving alongside consumer expectations and production patterns. “We’ve seen a notable increase in the volume of e-commerce goods and high-value perishables being shipped by air,” LAATS said. Electronics remain strong, and demand for temperature-controlled logistics for pharmaceuticals is growing.
“These trends reflect changing consumer expectations for speed, freshness, and quality, as well as a shift in regional production capacity toward more complex, time-sensitive exports,” LAATS added.
