The airport would allow Panama City's Tocumen International Airport to accept more flights for business and connecting flights in an effort to secure Panama's position as a hub for business and commercial activity in the region. President Ricardo Martinelli said the new Scarlett Martínez Airport at Río Hato would bring benefits and opportunities for area residents. The project was supervised by the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and lasted 14 months. The $53.2 million project was awarded through a public bidding process. The restoration work included rehabilitation of the runway and airport terminal, and construction of a tunnel for the Pan-American Highway, which previously crossed the runway. In 2011 the government of Panama gave the order to proceed with a project to rebuild the airport. The airport is 3 kilometres (2 mi) east of Río Hato. Scarlett Martínez International Airport ( IATA: RIH, ICAO: MPSM), also known as Río Hato Airport, is an international airport serving Río Hato, a town in the Coclé Province of Panama.

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