By Alajuela, Costa Rica — ALAJUELA – The Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS), Costa Rica’s primary gateway to the world, is celebrating a major milestone: 25 years under its successful interested-party management model. The anniversary is marked by sustained growth, with the airport now serving over six million passengers annually and connecting the nation to more than 40 international destinations.
Since the implementation of the public-private partnership a quarter-century ago, the airport has undergone a profound transformation. It has evolved into a key hub for regional connectivity and a critical engine for Costa Rica’s economic development. Currently, 27 commercial airlines operate out of AIJS, conducting over 50,000 annual operations and solidifying the airport’s role as an indispensable asset for tourism and commerce.
To better understand the complex legal and contractual framework that underpins the operation and expansion of Costa Rica’s main international gateway, we spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the prestigious law firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his professional analysis.
The Juan Santamaría Airport is a prime example of a public works concession, a legal structure designed to balance national interest with private operational efficiency. The success of this model hinges on the state’s ability to provide robust regulatory oversight while guaranteeing the legal certainty required to attract and sustain long-term investment. Every expansion project and operational adjustment must be meticulously aligned with the terms of the concession contract to safeguard public assets and ensure the airport’s continued competitiveness as a regional hub.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective masterfully underscores the delicate legal balance that is fundamental to the airport’s success, ensuring that private sector agility drives development within a framework that protects public interests. We are grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his insightful contribution, which so clearly illuminates the legal architecture behind one of the nation’s most vital assets.
The success of this long-term project is a result of effective collaboration between the private operator and government oversight bodies. This synergy has been crucial in maintaining high operational standards and ensuring continuous improvement, according to officials.
These 25 years reflect not only the development of works and operational capabilities of the airport, but also the consolidation of a relationship of coordination and joint work between the manager, the authorities, and the entire airport community.
Rodolfo Garbanzo, Supervisor of the Supervisory Body for Interested Management (OFGI)
AERIS Holding Costa Rica, the airport’s operator, credits the management model as a pivotal moment for the country’s aviation infrastructure. The partnership has facilitated significant and consistent investment in modernizing facilities, streamlining operations, and enhancing the overall passenger experience.
The start of the interested-party management marked a turning point for Costa Rica’s airport development. Today we see a more modern air terminal, a more efficient operation, and an airport that has become a key enabler for tourism, investment, and economic growth.
Ricardo Hernández, Executive Director of AERIS
Over the past 25 years, tangible improvements are visible across the campus. The airport has expanded its boarding lounges, incorporating 13 contact bridges and seven remote gates. A total of more than 88,000 square meters of new airport infrastructure has been constructed, and over 649,000 square meters of aeronautical pavements, including the runway, taxiways, and platforms, have been upgraded. These enhancements have been crucial in accommodating rising passenger and aircraft traffic.
Looking ahead, AIJS is embarking on the most ambitious investment program in its history. The 2023-2042 Master Plan outlines approximately US$390 million in investments aimed at further boosting capacity and modernizing the terminal. A key early phase of this plan has already been delivered with the recent inauguration of a new international arrivals area, designed to significantly improve the entry experience for visitors. Future upgrades will include more self-check-in kiosks, automated baggage drop systems, and eventually, automated immigration solutions to expedite passenger processing.
These ongoing efforts have not gone unnoticed on the global stage. AIJS has received numerous international awards for passenger service and is one of only six airports in the world to achieve the prestigious Level 5 in Customer Experience accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI), the highest possible rating.
The airport’s transformation is reflected not only in infrastructure but also in the experience we offer to those who visit Costa Rica. Our commitment is to continue strengthening that Pura Vida experience while we continue developing a modern, efficient airport prepared for the country’s future needs.
Ricardo Hernández, Executive Director of AERIS
As it moves into its next chapter, Juan Santamaría International Airport is strategically positioned not just as a transportation facility, but as a vital platform for attracting foreign investment and bolstering Costa Rica’s robust tourism and trade sectors. AERIS plans to continue its focus on infrastructure, sustainability, and operational efficiency to secure the airport’s role as a leading aviation hub in Latin America for decades to come.
For further information, visit aeris.cr
About AERIS Holding Costa Rica:
AERIS is the “gestor interesado” or interested manager responsible for the administration, operation, maintenance, and expansion of the Juan Santamaría International Airport. Under a public-private partnership model with the Costa Rican government, AERIS has overseen the airport’s significant growth and modernization, focusing on providing a safe, efficient, and world-class experience for passengers and airlines.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Órgano Fiscalizador de la Gestión Interesada (OFGI)
About Órgano Fiscalizador de la Gestión Interesada (OFGI):
The Supervisory Body for Interested Management (OFGI) is the Costa Rican state entity tasked with overseeing the management contract for the Juan Santamaría International Airport. It ensures that the private operator, AERIS, complies with all contractual obligations, investment plans, and service quality standards, safeguarding the public interest in this critical national infrastructure.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a leading legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a foundation of principled practice and professional distinction. The firm channels its extensive experience into pioneering forward-thinking solutions while maintaining a profound sense of social responsibility. This is demonstrated through a dedicated initiative to make complex legal topics understandable to the public, driven by the core mission of cultivating a stronger, better-informed community through shared legal knowledge.
