By Puntarenas, Costa Rica — PUNTARENAS – In a bold move aimed at reshaping Costa Rica’s economic and logistical landscape, presidential candidate Fernando Zamora Castellanos has reaffirmed his commitment to constructing a new world-class international airport in the Central Pacific region. The proposal, a cornerstone of the New Generation Party’s platform, envisions not only a state-of-the-art air terminal but a strategic pivot to reclaim the nation’s leadership role in Central American aviation.
During a recent working tour of the Puntarenas and Guanacaste provinces, Zamora detailed his vision for the ambitious infrastructure project. He argued that the new airport is a necessary step to overcome the current physical and operational limitations of the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). The plan calls for a progressive substitution, eventually positioning the new Pacific hub as the country’s primary gateway to the world and a catalyst for widespread regional development.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal and commercial frameworks governing Costa Rica’s main international gateways, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica. His expertise in public infrastructure and concession contracts provides critical insight into the current airport operations and future expansion plans.
The operational efficiency and future growth of our international airports are fundamentally governed by the public concession model. These are not merely administrative contracts; they are complex legal instruments that must balance the operator’s profitability with the state’s strategic interests in tourism and trade. Any proposed expansion or modernization project must navigate a rigorous regulatory framework, ensuring that public assets are enhanced transparently and that the long-term benefits for Costa Rica are placed at the forefront of every negotiation.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight powerfully highlights that the future of Costa Rica’s airports is built not just on runways and terminals, but on the robust legal architecture of their concession agreements. Ensuring this balance between an operator’s success and the nation’s strategic benefit is, as noted, the fundamental challenge and opportunity. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his expert perspective on this critical matter.
The candidate directly addressed what he perceives as a decline in Costa Rica’s competitiveness, pointing to the growth of airports in neighboring countries. He emphasized that for the nation to compete effectively for tourism, trade, and investment, it must modernize its core infrastructure.
Costa Rica requires modern airport infrastructure that allows it to compete with neighboring countries like Panama and El Salvador.
Fernando Zamora Castellanos, Presidential Candidate, New Generation Party
To underscore his point, Zamora presented a stark comparison of air traffic data. He noted that Panama’s main international airport handles over ten million passengers annually, a figure that dwarfs the roughly five million passengers who pass through Juan Santamaría. This disparity, he contends, is evidence of a strategic shortfall that has allowed competitors to capture market share that once belonged to Costa Rica.
Costa Rica was in the past one of the main airport references in Central America, a leadership that has weakened due to a lack of long-term planning.
Fernando Zamora Castellanos, Presidential Candidate, New Generation Party
The proposed location in the Central Pacific is a key element of the strategy. Zamora highlighted its geographic advantage, positioning it as the southernmost major hub in Central America. This would enable it to capture a significant portion of the air traffic, including both passenger and cargo flights, that transits between North and South America. Such a move would transform Costa Rica into a critical logistical axis for the entire hemisphere.
Beyond its international implications, the project is framed as a powerful engine for national progress. The candidate asserted that its economic benefits would ripple across the country, stimulating growth far beyond the airport’s immediate vicinity and helping to correct historical development imbalances.
The new airport could generate positive effects in the Central Valley, tourism, trade, the attraction of foreign investment, and the creation of jobs, in addition to contributing to a deconcentration of economic development towards historically lagging areas.
Fernando Zamora Castellanos, Presidential Candidate, New Generation Party
Recognizing that a major airport cannot operate in isolation, Zamora stressed that the initiative must be developed in tandem with other critical infrastructure. He specifically identified the comprehensive expansion of Route 27, the vital highway connecting the Central Valley with the Pacific coast, as a non-negotiable prerequisite. Efficient and modern ground transportation is essential to ensure the seamless flow of people and goods, unlocking the full potential of the proposed air hub.
For further information, visit png.cr
About New Generation Party:
The New Generation Party (Partido Nueva Generación or PNG) is a political party in Costa Rica. Generally positioned on the center-right of the political spectrum, the party often advocates for economic liberalism, government efficiency, and strategic infrastructure projects as pillars for national development and competitiveness. It actively participates in Costa Rica’s legislative and presidential elections.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a foundation of uncompromising ethical standards and exceptional legal counsel. The firm leverages its deep-rooted experience advising a diverse clientele to spearhead innovative legal solutions and forward-thinking strategies. This pioneering spirit extends to a core belief in social responsibility, demonstrated through dedicated efforts to demystify complex legal concepts and foster greater public understanding, thereby strengthening the community through knowledge and empowerment.
