Costa Rica Announces $62.2 Million Expansion of Juan Santamaría International Airport
San José receives flights to 42 international destinations through 28 airlines, handling more than 6.2 million passengers.
The Costa Rican government, through the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) and airport concessionaire Aeris Holding, has announced a $62.2 million expansion of Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), which serves San José.
According to MOPT, the terminal will be expanded westward across all four levels. Aeris projects that the airport’s capacity will increase from 6.5 million passengers to 10.4 million by 2042.
Recent Expansions and Modernization Projects
Over the past year, several expansion and modernization projects have been completed, including:
- New fire station in the southern sector (2,800 m²) and the acquisition of four emergency vehicles.
- Expansion of boarding gates 17, 18, 19, and 20 westward (5,500 m² added).
- Expansion of boarding gates 1 and 2 eastward (2,400 m² added).
- New domestic terminal (1,600 m²).
- Construction of a parallel taxiway on the southern side (75,000 m² of new pavement) to optimize runway operations.
- New remote aircraft apron (47,000 m²), accommodating eight Category C aircraft and three Category E aircraft.
- New domestic aviation ramp (20,000 m²), providing space for 12 Category B aircraft.
- Expansion of the commercial building (3,000 m² added).
- Modernization of terminal flooring, replacing 900 m² of carpet with high-performance rubber flooring.
- Operational safety upgrades, including transverse runway grooving and a modernized LED lighting system.
- New passenger experience technologies, such as 75 self-check-in kiosks, six self-bag drop stations, new charging stations, and water refill stations.
Upcoming Master Plan Projects
The Juan Santamaría Airport Master Plan includes several upcoming projects aimed at improving efficiency and infrastructure, such as:
- First-phase terminal expansion (16,500 m²) to the west, featuring new ground transportation areas, a business center, an expanded lobby, and a new baggage carousel.
- Construction of a new remote apron (35,000 m²) with additional aircraft parking spaces.
- Installation of biometric "eGates" for passport control.
- First phase of a new Baggage Handling System (BHS) with additional conveyors and carousels.
- Construction of the region’s first "on-airport" hotel, offering 170+ rooms and direct access via a pedestrian bridge.
The projects are expected to take one year and nine months to complete.
Growing Air Traffic in San José
According to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), Costa Rica received 2.66 million air travelers in 2024, the highest figure in 16 years, marking a 7.7% increase compared to 2023.
Juan Santamaría International Airport recorded 6,204,906 passengers in 2024, reaching its maximum operational capacity.
Currently, 28 airlines operate at SJO, offering flights to 42 destinations, with the United States as the primary market. Some of the airlines operating at SJO include:
- Aeroméxico – Mexico City
- Air Canada – Montreal/Trudeau, Toronto/Pearson
- Air France – Paris/Charles de Gaulle
- Air Transat – Montreal/Trudeau, Toronto/Pearson
- Alaska Airlines – Los Angeles
- American Airlines – Charlotte/Douglas, Dallas/Fort Worth
- Arajet – Santo Domingo/Las Américas
- Avianca – Bogotá, Cartagena, Guatemala City, Mexico City, Panama City, Guayaquil, Managua, Medellín/Rionegro, Miami, Quito, San José, San Juan, San Pedro Sula, San Salvador, Washington/Dulles
- British Airways – London/Gatwick
- Copa Airlines – Guatemala City, Panama City, Managua
- Costa Rica Green Airways – Cobano, Puerto Jiménez, Quepos
- Delta Air Lines – Atlanta, Los Angeles
- Edelweiss – Zurich
- Frontier – Atlanta
- JetBlue – Fort Lauderdale, New York, Orlando
- GOL – São Paulo/Guarulhos
- Iberia – Madrid
- Iberojet – Madrid
- KLM – Amsterdam
- LATAM – Lima
- Lufthansa – Frankfurt
- SANSA – Bocas del Toro, Managua, and various domestic destinations
- Spirit Airlines – Fort Lauderdale, Orlando
- Southwest Airlines – Baltimore, Denver, Houston/Hobby, Orlando
- United Airlines – Chicago/O’Hare, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington/Dulles
- Volaris – Cancún, Guatemala City, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Miami, Orlando, San Salvador, Tulum
- Wingo – Bogotá, Medellín/Rionegro
Conclusion
The $62.2 million expansion of Juan Santamaría International Airport is a crucial step toward improving infrastructure, efficiency, and passenger experience.
With air traffic at record levels, the planned expansions and technological upgrades aim to support continued growth and connectivity while strengthening Costa Rica’s position as a key aviation hub in Latin America.
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