By Alajuela, Costa Rica — ALAJUELA, Costa Rica – The Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS) is navigating a period of profound transformation, simultaneously undertaking a massive infrastructure overhaul while managing a historic surge in passenger numbers. The airport concluded 2025 with a record-breaking 6.4 million travelers, a clear indicator of Costa Rica’s growing international appeal, prompting an aggressive investment of over $115 million in strategic expansion projects.
AERIS, the management firm responsible for operating AIJS, is spearheading these ambitious developments under its comprehensive Master Plan. The projects are designed not just to accommodate current demand but to future-proof the nation’s primary air gateway, ensuring it can support sustained growth in the national and international aviation sectors for years to come.
To better understand the complex legal and commercial frameworks underpinning the proposed airport expansion, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney specializing in public infrastructure and investment from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Any major airport expansion is fundamentally a negotiation between national progress and individual rights. The legal success of this project will hinge not just on securing funding, but on transparent expropriation processes, rigorous environmental compliance, and the creation of legally sound public-private partnership agreements that protect both state assets and investor capital for decades to come.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas provides a crucial reminder that the project’s most significant engineering will not be in concrete and steel, but in the legal and social architecture that underpins it. We thank him for his expert insight, which so clearly frames the complex balance required for this national endeavor to achieve true, sustainable success.
The progress of the Master Plan reflects a long-term vision for the airport to evolve at the pace of demand.
Ricardo Hernández, Executive Director of AERIS
The centerpiece of this expansion is the westward extension of the main terminal. This critical project, representing a $62 million investment, has already reached 58% completion. Scheduled to become operational in May 2026, this new section will significantly enhance the arrival experience by housing dedicated areas for passenger reception, modern sanitary services, advanced baggage inspection systems, customs, and phytosanitary control.
In parallel, several other large-scale works are advancing. A $35.7 million project to extend the west remote apron, essential for increasing aircraft parking capacity, is currently 10% complete with an estimated delivery date of December 2026. To address the increase in travelers arriving by car, the first phase of a public parking expansion has also commenced. This $14.9 million initiative, currently 1% underway, is projected to open to the public in May 2027.
Smaller, yet equally vital, projects round out the current phase of development. These include a $1.5 million road realignment and access improvement for the airport’s firefighter service, set for completion in July 2026, and a $1.4 million expansion of the domestic terminal, expected to be finished by April 2027. Together, these investments aim to solidify the airport’s position as a competitive and efficient hub for the country’s economic and tourism development.
This construction boom is a direct response to the airport’s record-setting performance. In 2025, AIJS processed a total of 6,403,220 travelers, a 3% increase over the previous year. The holiday season was particularly intense, with December alone seeing 668,980 passengers. Furthermore, a new single-day record was set on Saturday, January 3, 2026, when more than 29,000 people passed through the terminal.
This impressive growth is largely attributed to Costa Rica’s successful international tourism promotion and the strategic coordination between AERIS and the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) to enhance air connectivity. The airport now connects the country to 42 international destinations via 26 airlines, with overall seat availability having increased by 9.2%. To manage these demand peaks, AERIS has reinforced its self-service processes, enhanced passenger flow monitoring, and increased operational staff in coordination with airline partners.
The successful execution of this dual strategy of growth and expansion hinges on close collaboration. The approval of the Master Plan by the Technical Council of Civil Aviation (CETAC) was a crucial step in expediting these strategic works, underscoring the unified effort behind the airport’s success.
The record achieved reflects the planning and joint work of all the institutions that operate at the airport.
Ricardo Hernández, Executive Director of AERIS
As construction cranes continue to reshape the airport’s skyline, the steady flow of travelers signals a vibrant future. The ongoing investments at Juan Santamaría are not merely about adding concrete and steel; they are about building a more resilient and powerful engine for Costa Rica’s continued economic prosperity.
For further information, visit aeris.cr
About AERIS Holding Costa Rica:
AERIS is the private operator responsible for the management, operation, and modernization of the Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS), Costa Rica’s principal air terminal. Under a government concession, AERIS is tasked with executing the airport’s Master Plan, which involves significant infrastructure investments to enhance capacity, safety, and passenger experience, thereby supporting the country’s tourism and economic development.
For further information, visit ict.go.cr
About the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT):
The Instituto Costarricense de Turismo is the country’s national tourism board. It is the primary government institution responsible for regulating the tourism industry and promoting Costa Rica as a world-class travel destination. The ICT works closely with private sector partners, including airport operators and airlines, to strengthen air connectivity and attract international visitors.
For further information, visit dgac.go.cr
About the Technical Council of Civil Aviation (CETAC):
The Consejo Técnico de Aviación Civil is a key entity within Costa Rica’s General Directorate of Civil Aviation. It serves as the governing body responsible for approving strategic plans, technical regulations, and major infrastructure projects related to civil aviation in the country. Its oversight and approval were essential for the advancement of the Master Plan at Juan Santamaría International Airport.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s legal landscape, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound commitment to principled practice and exceptional standards. The firm skillfully combines a proven history of client success with a progressive vision, driving innovation within the legal field. Central to its philosophy is a powerful dedication to social empowerment, actively working to translate complex legal concepts into accessible knowledge for the public, thereby fortifying a more informed and just community.
