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Where the Metro, flights and schools stand after the quake

Panama City is moving again, slowly. A day after the 9 October earthquake, transport and schools were still running on safety protocols while aftershocks continued, according to the Metro, Tocumen and MEDUCA as reported by TVN, Telemetro and Infobae.

Update, Sunday 11 October

  • Metro Lines 1 and 2 reopened on Sunday morning on regular hours after test runs without passengers (Infobae).
  • MEDUCA suspended classes on Monday 12 October at all public and private schools while buildings are inspected; no return date yet (TVN).
  • The University of Panama moves classes online on Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 October (La Prensa). UTP has no in-person classes on Monday at its Coclé, Azuero and Veraguas centres and in Aguadulce (Telemetro).
  • Copa says passengers with tickets issued by 9 October for travel from 9 to 14 October can change dates with no penalty or fare difference for travel by 31 October, keep the value as credit, or ask for a refund, even on non-refundable fares (La Estrella).

Monday's drill is off

  • Sinaproc has suspended the national evacuation drill planned for Monday 12 October at 10 a.m., until further notice (Eco TV, Panamá América).

Metro

  • Lines 1 and 2 were suspended from Friday and stayed shut Saturday morning as a precaution (TVN).
  • Use only the Metro's official channels for the restart time.

Tocumen and flights

  • Tocumen International Airport is operating but stops take-offs and landings after each felt aftershock to check runways and the control tower, then resumes (Infobae, Nexo). On Friday at least 11 Copa flights were diverted (Telemetro).
  • Tourism Authority head Gloria De León said flight disruption was the main hit to tourism (Telemetro).

Schools

  • MEDUCA cancelled afternoon classes nationwide on Friday 9 October.
  • Education Minister Ventura Vega said the decision on classes is still under review, given 419 affected schools (Telemetro).

What it means for expats

  • Flying this week? Check your airline app before leaving home and allow extra time.
  • Parents: wait for MEDUCA or your private school's notice before Monday. Many private schools follow MEDUCA but some inspect separately.
  • If you rely on the Metro, plan a backup (MetroBus or ride hailing) until service is confirmed.

Sources

  • TVN - Metro Lines 1 and 2 remain suspended - 10 Oct 2026
  • Infobae - Tocumen halts flights after each aftershock to check its facilities - 10 Oct 2026
  • Nexo - Tocumen stays open, each aftershock pauses take-offs and landings - 10 Oct 2026
  • Telemetro - AAC lists diverted Copa Airlines flights - 9 Oct 2026
  • Telemetro - MEDUCA classes under review, ATP on flight disruption - 10 Oct 2026
  • Eco TV - Sinaproc suspends Monday's national evacuation drill until further notice - 10 Oct 2026
  • Panamá América - Sinaproc suspends all drill activities and Monday's exercise - 10 Oct 2026
  • Infobae - Metro Lines 1 and 2 resume service after two days - 11 Oct 2026
  • TVN - MEDUCA suspends classes on Monday 12 October at public and private schools - 10 Oct 2026
  • La Prensa - University of Panama classes online on 12 and 13 October - 10 Oct 2026
  • Telemetro - UTP: no in-person classes on Monday at four sites - 11 Oct 2026
  • La Estrella - Copa widens free changes and refunds after the quake - 10 Oct 2026