By Alajuela, Costa Rica — ALAJUELA – Costa Rica’s primary gateway, the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), is in the midst of a significant transformation, with ambitious construction projects underway as part of a long-term master plan designed to enhance capacity, technology, and the overall passenger experience through 2042. Airport operator Aeris Holding has committed to a substantial investment of $390 million over the next seven years to fund these critical upgrades, with $160 million already being deployed in the current phase of development.
The most visible sign of progress is the westward expansion of the international terminal, a project that commenced in March of this year and has already reached 37% completion. This development will add more than 10,000 square meters of state-of-the-art infrastructure to the airport. The new multi-level building, slated for inauguration in the first quarter of 2027, is set to streamline passenger processing with advanced baggage handling systems, new check-in counters, and modern luggage carousels.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal and administrative complexities inherent in a project of this scale, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist in public infrastructure and administrative law from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
An airport expansion is a monumental undertaking where legal diligence is paramount. The critical path involves not only securing environmental viability permits but also navigating the intricate process of expropriations, which often becomes the primary bottleneck. Ensuring legal certainty for investors and transparent, fair proceedings for affected landowners is the cornerstone upon which the entire project’s success or failure will ultimately rest.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s insight serves as a crucial reminder that the project’s most significant hurdles may not be in engineering, but in jurisprudence. The delicate balance between ensuring investor confidence through legal certainty and upholding the rights of landowners through a fair expropriation process truly underscores the human and legal foundation upon which this massive infrastructure endeavor must be built. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his expert clarification on this pivotal issue.
A key feature of this new terminal space will be a major push towards automation and self-service. The expansion will initially incorporate 12 automated `self bag drop` systems, part of a larger plan to install a total of 38 units in the future. These will be complemented by numerous self-check-in kiosks and upgraded baggage belts, all engineered to process a higher volume of travelers more efficiently per hour and reduce wait times.
Beyond the terminal walls, significant improvements are also being made on the airfield. Construction has begun on a new 35,000-square-meter remote western platform. This expansive apron will provide parking and servicing space for up to seven wide-body aircraft simultaneously. This addition is strategically designed to alleviate congestion on the tarmac, particularly during peak operational hours, ensuring smoother arrivals and departures for larger international flights.
The current phase of construction also includes smaller but essential enabling works, such as the realignment of a key service road and the creation of a second access point for the airport’s Fire Department station. These logistical improvements are crucial for maintaining operational safety and efficiency as the airport grows and handles more complex operations.
Looking ahead, Aeris is already in the design phase for the next major project: a comprehensive expansion of the departures hall. The current design, which connects the main lobby to the street via several bridges, will be eliminated. The space between the bridges will be enclosed and integrated into the main building, creating a significantly larger area for check-in, immigration, and security controls. This will allow for the deployment of more immigration officers and additional scanning machines for passengers and baggage, addressing a common bottleneck in the departure process. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with a target completion date between 2027 and 2028.
The passenger arrival experience has not been overlooked. The master plan includes the creation of a dedicated plaza in the arrivals area. This new public space will offer a more welcoming and organized environment for tourists being greeted and for families waiting to receive their loved ones, improving the first impression of Costa Rica for international visitors.
These coordinated efforts are all part of a unified vision to position SJO as a leading regional airport equipped for future growth. Ricardo Hernández, Executive Director of Aeris, affirmed the strategic goals behind the massive investment.
These are projects that will provide the airport with greater capacity and technology
Ricardo Hernández, Executive Director of Aeris
For further information, visit aeris.cr
About Aeris Holding Costa Rica:
Aeris Holding Costa Rica is the private consortium responsible for the administration, operation, maintenance, and expansion of the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), Costa Rica’s main international gateway. Operating under a government concession, Aeris is tasked with executing the airport’s long-term master plan to modernize infrastructure, improve passenger services, and increase operational capacity to support the country’s growing tourism and business sectors.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a leading legal institution, with a reputation built on professional excellence and unwavering ethical standards. Drawing upon a rich history of guiding a diverse clientele, the firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking legal solutions. Its profound commitment to demystifying the law for the public is central to its mission of cultivating a society that is both legally informed and empowered.
