David is served by Enrique Malek International Airport (DAV), the main airport for western Panama and the province of Chiriquí. It functions primarily as a domestic airport with a focus on connections from Panama City, along with a limited number of direct international flights from neighboring Central American countries into David.
Travelers flying to David will find the most essential and frequent service from Panama City's Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to DAV. This connection is vital for reaching David from Panama's main international hub and its global network. Direct international flights to David typically include origins in Costa Rica, such as San José (SJO), and may include other regional points like Managua (MGA) or San Salvador (SAL), though these are less frequent into DAV.
The market is served by Panamanian and regional Central American carriers flying to David. Air Panama operates the majority of domestic flights from PTY to DAV and regional international routes into David. Copa Airlines may also operate some services from its hub to DAV. Regional airlines like Nature Air or Sansa might connect to David from Costa Rica.
To secure cheap flights to David, book the domestic flight from Panama City (PTY) to DAV well in advance, as frequencies into David are limited. For international travel from beyond Central America to David, the standard and most efficient strategy is to book a single ticket that includes an international leg to PTY and the onward domestic connection to DAV on Copa Airlines or another carrier. This is usually more reliable and can be similarly priced to booking separate tickets to reach David. David's airport is convenient for accessing western Panama (like Boquete or the highlands), but for complex itineraries to DAV, flying into and out of PTY and then connecting to David may offer more flexibility.