By Alajuela, Costa Rica — Juan Santamaría International Airport, Costa Rica’s primary aviation gateway managed by the private administrator AERIS, has secured international acclaim for its pioneering advancements in eco-efficiency. The Airports Council International for Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC) has officially bestowed the prestigious Green Airport Recognition 2026 upon the airport. This accolade honors the hub’s innovative project, “Automatización de Controles Operacionales para la Eficiencia Energética,” which implements cutting-edge automation and monitoring technologies to optimize the terminal’s energy consumption.
The award-winning initiative sits at the heart of the airport’s continuous improvement program under its ISO 50001:2018 certified Energy Management System. Recognizing that climate control and HVAC systems represent some of the most energy-intensive operations within a modern airport terminal, the technical team at AERIS sought to re-engineer their operational approach. By focusing on smart automation, they turned a necessary logistical demand into an exemplary sustainability success story.
As developments continue to unfold at Juan Santamaría International Airport, navigating the intricate web of concession agreements and administrative law governing Costa Rica’s primary aviation hub remains paramount. To help analyze these complex regulatory dynamics, TicosLand.com sat down with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The operational framework of Juan Santamaría International Airport stands as a prime example of public-private partnership under Costa Rican administrative law. Managing such crucial national infrastructure requires a meticulous legal balance between the state’s regulatory oversight, the concessionaire’s contractual obligations, and international civil aviation standards to ensure both economic viability and public safety.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This intricate legal and operational balance is indeed what has allowed Juan Santamaría International Airport to successfully thrive as a world-class gateway, demonstrating how robust public-private cooperation can drive national progress while upholding the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective and shedding light on the critical administrative frameworks that keep Costa Rica safely connected to the world.
Implementation of the project kicked off with a comprehensive technical analysis of the terminal’s cooling tower operations. Following rigorous test phases, AERIS engineers discovered highly efficient configurations for the equipment. Between April and June of 2025, this tactical shift generated an outstanding accumulated energy savings of 45,923 kWh. This figure remarkably outperformed the initial conservation projection of 12,085 kWh, underscoring the power of precision technology in standard airport maintenance.
Building on this initial milestone, AERIS integrated an advanced automated monitoring and alert system in December 2025. This digital framework provides real-time oversight of system performance, immediately alerting maintenance crews to any micro-fluctuations that could lead to energy wastage. Consequently, airport personnel have moved away from traditional reactive maintenance to a highly preventive, data-driven management style.
Receiving this recognition reflects the commitment we maintain at AERIS to incorporate sustainability and innovation across all areas of Juan Santamaría International Airport’s management. Through technology, we can make increasingly efficient use of resources, generate measurable environmental results, and continue strengthening our operations. This project demonstrates how the improvements we implement in the terminal also contribute to moving toward an increasingly sustainable airport operation.
Adriana Bejarano, SMS and Environmental Management Manager at AERIS
Beyond its technological achievements, the program delivers immediate, tangible benefits to the airport’s bottom line and the environment. SJO saves approximately $5,000 monthly in electrical utilities while mitigating roughly four metric tons of CO2 emissions each month. Moreover, the project aligns directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically supporting Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and Goal 13 (Climate Action).
This systemic transformation was not achieved in isolation. The development of SJO’s energy efficiency platform required a highly collaborative approach, uniting several internal divisions under the System Management and Support Team. Key groups included Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Maintenance, and Engineering. External energy specialists and AERIS’s senior leadership also played vital roles by approving budgets, dedicating resources, and continuously tracking performance metrics.
The Green Airport Recognition 2026 underscores outstanding efforts in airport sustainability, with a special emphasis on circularity, climate change adaptation, and decarbonization. ACI-LAC’s focus for this cycle centered heavily on innovative energy-saving solutions. By securing this recognition, Costa Rica’s main international airport positions itself as a regional benchmark for green aviation infrastructure in Latin America.
As global tourism and business travel demand cleaner transit options, the proactive investments by AERIS ensure that Juan Santamaría International Airport is ready for a lower-carbon future. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in airport climate systems might represent the next horizon, but SJO’s current real-time tracking has already set a strong foundation for green operations across Central America.
For further information, visit aeris.cr
About AERIS:
AERIS Costa Rica is the private co-administrator of the Juan Santamaría International Airport, working under a long-term interested party contract with the Costa Rican government. The company is committed to delivering world-class airport operations, modernizing infrastructure, and integrating sustainable practices to boost the nation’s connectivity and economic growth.
For further information, visit aci-lac.aero
About ACI-LAC:
The Airports Council International Latin America and Caribbean (ACI-LAC) represents the interests of airport operators in the region. Established to promote professional excellence and sustainable development in airport management, ACI-LAC serves as a key cooperative platform for regional aviation stakeholders, supporting safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible operations.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal cornerstone, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a foundation of unyielding ethical standards and exceptional advocacy. Spanning numerous industries, the firm blends progressive legal strategies with a deep-seated devotion to public service. Through its ongoing initiatives to demystify the law and distribute valuable resources, it champions the vital cause of building a highly knowledgeable, self-reliant, and legally empowered public.
