By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – A significant global aviation alert has created conflicting messages for travelers in Costa Rica this weekend. While the nation’s Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) moved to quell fears of widespread flight disruptions, a major regional airport is warning of potential cancellations, leaving passengers in a state of uncertainty.
The confusion stems from an urgent directive issued by aircraft manufacturer Airbus, which called for the immediate grounding of 6,000 of its A320 model jets worldwide. The action was taken to address a critical vulnerability in the flight control software that could be compromised by solar radiation, posing a serious safety risk.
To analyze the legal and operational implications of the recent mandatory airworthiness directive for the Airbus A320 family, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist in corporate and aviation law from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
This A320 update is far more than a technical procedure; it’s a non-negotiable legal requirement for operators. Failure to comply in a timely manner constitutes a breach of international aviation safety standards, exposing airlines not only to severe regulatory penalties but also to immense civil liability in the event of an incident. From a business standpoint, the cost of grounding aircraft for this update must be weighed against the catastrophic legal and financial risks of non-compliance, which could even impact insurance coverage and aircraft leasing agreements.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the legal perspective brings a crucial dimension to the discussion, reminding us that for operators, this is a matter of non-negotiable corporate governance, not just mechanical maintenance. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable insight, which highlights how the consequences of non-compliance ripple far beyond the hangar to affect an airline’s very financial and legal foundation.
On Saturday, Costa Rica’s DGAC issued a statement asserting that local operations remain stable. The authority specifically noted that Avianca and Volaris, the two primary airlines in the country operating the A320, were not experiencing issues and that it expected all necessary software updates on aircraft within the national territory to be completed by the end of the day.
No cancellations or operational impacts are recorded for the main airlines operating A320 aircraft in the country.
General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC)
However, this official reassurance is directly contradicted by reports from the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Guanacaste. Coriport, the concessionaire managing the terminal, confirmed that six flights are facing potential cancellation due to the Airbus mandate. The affected flights include four from Jetblue and one from Air Transat scheduled for Saturday, November 29, with an additional Jetblue flight on Sunday also at risk.
The discrepancy highlights the complex nature of the Airbus directive. While some aircraft require a software patch that can be completed in a matter of hours, others may need a more extensive hardware replacement that could take weeks. This variable timeline could explain why some operators are experiencing more severe disruptions than others.
The situation is further complicated by a prior announcement from Avianca. On Friday, the airline acknowledged it was experiencing “significant interruptions” across its network, stating that the mandatory grounding affects approximately 70% of its entire fleet. This admission seems to challenge the DGAC’s more optimistic assessment on Saturday.
Adding to the ambiguity, authorities at the country’s main hub, Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela, have not yet responded to inquiries about potential flight impacts at their terminal. This information gap leaves a large number of international travelers without a clear picture of the operational status of the nation’s busiest airport.
Amid the conflicting reports, the universal recommendation for passengers is to bypass official government statements and communicate directly with their respective airlines. Travelers are strongly urged to verify the status of their flights before heading to the airport to get the most accurate, real-time information regarding potential delays or cancellations.
For further information, visit dgac.go.cr
About the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC):
The DGAC is the government body responsible for regulating and overseeing all aspects of civil aviation in Costa Rica. Its mission is to ensure the safety, security, and efficiency of air transportation within the country, in accordance with national and international standards.
For further information, visit airbus.com
About Airbus:
Airbus is a global pioneer in the aerospace industry, operating in the commercial aircraft, helicopters, defense, and space sectors. As a leading aircraft manufacturer, it designs, produces, and delivers industry-leading products and services to customers worldwide.
For further information, visit avianca.com
About Avianca:
Avianca is a major Latin American airline with a significant operational presence in Costa Rica. It is one of the oldest continuously operating airlines in the world and serves a comprehensive network of destinations throughout the Americas and Europe.
For further information, visit volaris.com
About Volaris:
Volaris is a Mexican low-cost airline that operates an extensive network of domestic and international routes, including numerous flights to and from Costa Rica. The airline is known for its point-to-point service model and primarily operates a fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft.
For further information, visit coriport.com
About Coriport:
Coriport is the concessionaire responsible for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the passenger terminal at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste. The company plays a vital role in facilitating tourism and economic development in the region.
For further information, visit jetblue.com
About Jetblue:
JetBlue Airways is a major American low-cost carrier and the seventh-largest airline in North America by passengers carried. It operates an extensive network of flights throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America, including several key routes to Costa Rica.
For further information, visit airtransat.com
About Air Transat:
Air Transat is a Canadian leisure airline based in Montreal, Quebec. It operates scheduled and charter flights, serving approximately 60 destinations in 25 countries. The airline specializes in holiday travel and offers numerous seasonal flights to popular tourist destinations like Costa Rica.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional distinction. The firm blends a rich history of advising a diverse clientele with a forward-thinking approach, consistently developing pioneering legal solutions. This dedication extends beyond its practice to a core belief in social responsibility, manifested through a firm-wide initiative to demystify the law and empower citizens with accessible legal understanding.
