For Emirates, Panama will serve as a gateway for onward business and tourist travel to cities across Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America, as well as providing capacity for imported electronics, machined products and drugs, Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said in the release.

Emirates has launched the world’s longest non-stop flight, with its new service between its home base of Dubai to Panama City expected to take 17 hours and 35 minutes.

The airline will operate the route with a Boeing 777-200LR aircraft in a three-class layout.

It will take 17 hours and 35 minutes to cover the 8,590 mile journey.

According to IATA, Latin America is home to more than 8% of the world’s population yet only accounts for 5% of all global air traffic, largely due to the lack of adequate infrastructure.

Panama’s Tocumen global Airport will be Emirates’ first destination in Central America.

Isabel Saint Malo de Alvarado, Republic of Panama Vice President, said: “It is gratifying to see how diplomatic efforts focused on generating development and prosperity for Panama materialise”.

Emirates Airlines of Dubai will schedule the “longest non-stop flight” in the world beginning next year.

On Thursday, the Middle East carrier announced that it would be adding nonstop service to Panama City, Panama from its hub in Dubai.

It’s a close call in terms of the optimum great circle distance, which for Sydney-Dallas Forth Worth is 13,804 kilometres, compared to Panama City to Dubai at 13,821 kilometres.

‘Passengers throughout all classes can access over 2,000 channels of films, TV shows, music and games through ice, our award-winning inflight entertainment system, ensuring there is plenty of choice for everyone.