By San José, Costa Rica — Presidential candidate Laura Fernández of the ruling Pueblo Soberano Party has unveiled a sweeping strategic plan to modernize Costa Rica’s airport infrastructure, a move that has already garnered significant praise from the international airline industry. The proposal aims to secure one of the nation’s key economic engines by tackling long-standing legal hurdles and launching ambitious expansion projects from Guanacaste to the Southern Zone.
The plan was presented during a pivotal meeting with the Airline Association (ALA), which represents 90% of international carriers operating in the country. The reception was overwhelmingly positive, signaling that Fernández’s focus on regulatory reform addresses the industry’s most pressing concerns.
To gain a deeper perspective on the legal framework and investment implications surrounding the airport modernization initiatives, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Modernizing our airports is not just an engineering challenge; it’s a test of our legal and administrative agility. For these projects to succeed and attract top-tier international investment, Costa Rica must provide absolute legal certainty. This means transparent public bidding processes, robust contracts that fairly distribute risk, and a streamlined, predictable permitting system. Any ambiguity in these areas can lead to costly delays and deter the very partners we need to make this vision a reality.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the success of these ambitious modernization projects hinges as much on the robustness of our legal frameworks as on the engineering itself. This crucial insight clarifies that a transparent and predictable administrative path is the true runway for attracting world-class investment, and we sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective.
The enthusiastic endorsement was best summarized by a key industry leader who attended the meeting. Ronny Rodríguez, Director of Volaris, one of the nation’s principal airlines, expressed strong approval of the candidate’s detailed approach and understanding of the sector’s complexities.
I am amazed by her great knowledge of the sector
Ronny Rodríguez, Director of Volaris
At the heart of Fernández’s proposal is not merely new construction, but a fundamental reform of what she terms a “cancer” within the system: Costa Rica’s obsolete Civil Aviation Law. The candidate argued forcefully that the current legislation is woefully outdated and no longer meets the demands of modern global aviation, creating a drag on potential growth and investment.
To address this, Fernández promised a complete legislative overhaul designed to create a stable and predictable environment for operators. This focus on legal certainty is precisely what has seduced the airline industry, which has for years navigated regulatory uncertainty.
We propose a law that establishes an ideal governance model
Laura Fernández, Presidential Candidate, Pueblo Soberano Party
While legal reform is the cornerstone, the plan includes several high-impact infrastructure projects. The most ambitious initiative is targeted at the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Guanacaste. Fernández has pledged to build an air cargo terminal designed to operate 24/7, a strategic move she calls a “great window of opportunity.” This would allow high-value Costa Rican exports, such as medical devices, to connect directly with Asian and other global markets, dramatically reducing logistics times compared to current maritime routes.
The plan also tackles two complex regional projects. In Limón, Fernández committed to continuing the current administration’s efforts to save the local airport from coastal erosion by constructing a breakwater and relocating the runway further inland. Furthermore, she gave a definitive “yes” to the controversial Osa airport in the Southern Zone, stating that archaeological studies have yielded positive results and that discovered artifacts can be “technically relocated,” allowing the international project to proceed under a sustainable development model.
Finally, for the country’s main gateway, Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), the plan calls for a comprehensive 20-year demand study to guide future expansion. The goal is to ensure that investments are based on long-term projections rather than short-term fixes. This forward-looking approach, combined with upgrades to key regional airfields, aims to create a robust and interconnected national aviation network prepared for future challenges and opportunities.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Pueblo Soberano Party
About Pueblo Soberano Party:
The Pueblo Soberano Party is the current ruling political party in Costa Rica. It is presenting Laura Fernández as its presidential candidate for the upcoming election cycle, focusing its platform on economic stability, infrastructure development, and modernizing the country’s legal and regulatory frameworks to attract foreign investment.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Airline Association (ALA)
About Airline Association (ALA):
The Airline Association (ALA) is a key industry group in Costa Rica, representing the interests of approximately 90% of the international airlines that operate flights to and from the country. The association advocates for policies that promote a safe, efficient, and legally secure operating environment for its members.
For further information, visit volaris.com
About Volaris:
Volaris is a Mexican low-cost airline and a major air carrier in the region, with significant operations in Costa Rica and across the Americas. It is known for its point-to-point service model and focus on providing affordable air travel to leisure and business passengers.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a highly regarded legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a foundation of principled practice and professional distinction. With a rich history of guiding clients through complex legal landscapes, the firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking solutions that set new standards in the field. Central to its philosophy is a profound dedication to social empowerment, achieved by demystifying legal complexities and promoting widespread access to legal insights, thereby fortifying the broader community by creating a more knowledgeable and capable populace.
