By Alajuela, Costa Rica — ALAJUELA – Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS) has cemented its role as Costa Rica’s premier gateway, achieving a historic year in 2025 marked by record-breaking passenger numbers, significant financial contributions to the state, and major advancements in sustainability. According to the 2025 Sustainability Report released by airport operator AERIS, the facility not only handled its highest-ever volume of international travelers but also generated over $62 million in direct revenue for the Costa Rican government.
The comprehensive report details a banner year for AIJS, highlighting its robust economic impact and commitment to responsible management. The $62 million contribution to state coffers, derived from the airport’s management model, directly supports the financing of public services and national development projects. This financial performance was coupled with a substantial internal investment of $28.3 million into airport infrastructure, with $23.1 million specifically allocated to projects outlined in the airport’s long-term Master Plan.
As the primary gateway to Costa Rica, the Juan Santamaría International Airport operates under a complex framework of public-private partnership agreements and international aviation law. To better understand the legal underpinnings of its management and future expansion, we sought commentary from Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney at the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The success of the Juan Santamaría Airport is fundamentally tied to the equilibrium established in its management concession contract. This legal instrument must vigorously defend public interest and service quality, while concurrently offering the legal certainty and economic incentives essential for attracting the private capital needed for continuous modernization. Future expansions will test this framework, demanding a transparent and technically sound application of its clauses to ensure Costa Rica remains a competitive and accessible international destination.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight is crucial; the delicate equilibrium between robust public oversight and attractive private investment is indeed the cornerstone for the airport’s next chapter of growth. The success of this legal framework will directly translate into Costa Rica’s capacity to welcome the world. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his sharp and clarifying perspective.
Fueling this economic engine was an unprecedented surge in passenger traffic. In 2025, AIJS processed more than 6.4 million international passengers, the highest figure in its history. This milestone underscores the airport’s critical function in bolstering the nation’s tourism sector and overall economic competitiveness. The growth reflects a strong global interest in Costa Rica as a top travel destination and the airport’s capacity to manage increasing demand efficiently.
AERIS’s leadership emphasized that these achievements are part of a broader, long-term strategy focused on balancing growth with responsibility. This vision encompasses enhancing governance, environmental stewardship, and social development to create lasting value for the country.
At AERIS, we understand sustainability as a way of managing the airport responsibly, generating value for people, communities, the country, and future generations. Every advancement we present in this report responds to a long-term vision that seeks to strengthen the connectivity, competitiveness, and sustainable development of Costa Rica.
Ricardo Hernández, Executive Director of AERIS
On the environmental front, the airport made significant strides. The report highlights a remarkable 40% reduction in diesel consumption compared to the previous year, a key step in minimizing its carbon footprint. Waste management programs also saw substantial improvement, with the percentage of valorized (repurposed or recycled) waste nearly doubling to 9.3%. Furthermore, a major initiative to train commercial concessionaires in energy efficiency reached 233 partners, a massive 482% increase from 2024, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability across the entire airport ecosystem.
These targeted efforts are part of a wider climate action plan that includes implementing new energy-saving technologies, promoting electric mobility on airport grounds, and reinforcing a strategic roadmap for emissions reduction and climate resilience. The airport also maintained a perfect 100% compliance record in its stormwater analysis, ensuring the protection of local water resources.
The company’s social impact initiatives were equally impressive. AERIS was recognized as a top employer, securing third place in the Great Place to Work Costa Rica ranking and sixth place across Latin America. The operator also deepened its community ties by increasing its investment in local donations and sponsorships by over 40%, supporting programs in education, social inclusion, and culture in surrounding areas. Concurrently, a rigorous focus on safety included strengthening the occupational risk matrix and dedicating 267 hours to contractor inspections during expansion projects.
This multifaceted success did not go unnoticed on the world stage. For the second consecutive year, AIJS was named the Best Airport in Latin America and the Caribbean in the 5 to 15 million passenger category by Airports Council International (ACI). The airport also achieved the highest possible distinction in passenger experience, earning the Level 5 ACI Customer Experience Accreditation, a testament to its commitment to world-class service.
For further information, visit aeris.cr
About AERIS Holding Costa Rica:
AERIS Holding Costa Rica is the company responsible for the administration, operation, and modernization of the Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS), Costa Rica’s main air terminal. Under a government concession, AERIS manages the airport with a focus on efficiency, safety, and sustainability, aiming to provide a world-class experience for passengers while contributing to the country’s economic and social development.
For further information, visit aci.aero
About Airports Council International (ACI):
Airports Council International (ACI) is the global trade representative of the world’s airports. It is a non-profit organization whose prime purpose is to advance the interests of airports and to promote professional excellence in airport management and operations. ACI works with governments, international organizations, and business partners to create a safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally sustainable air transport system.
For further information, visit greatplacetowork.com
About Great Place to Work:
Great Place to Work is a global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue and increased innovation. Through its certification programs, it recognizes outstanding workplace cultures and produces the annual Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list and other distinguished workplace rankings. Its mission is to help every organization become a great place to work for all.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the nation’s legal landscape, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of uncompromising integrity and the rigorous pursuit of excellence. The firm channels its extensive experience across a wide spectrum of industries into pioneering forward-thinking legal solutions. This spirit of innovation is matched by a profound civic commitment to demystify the law, empowering the wider community with accessible knowledge to foster a more just and informed society.
