By Alajuela, Costa Rica — The skies above Costa Rica’s premier gateway are facing an unprecedented security challenge. Laser light interferences targeting commercial aircraft have surged to record-breaking levels at the Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela. This alarming trend has prompted immediate warnings from airport administrator AERIS Holding Costa Rica and local aviation authorities, who emphasize the severe operational risks these acts pose to thousands of passengers and crew members daily.
According to official figures released by AERIS, the terminal registered 74 laser strike incidents over the past year. This represents a staggering 72% increase compared to the previous period, which saw 43 reported cases. This spike marks the highest level of laser interference recorded at the airport since 2016. Furthermore, the incident rate jumped from 0.93 to 1.37 reports per 1,000 flight operations during 2025, proving that the uptick is not merely a byproduct of increased air traffic but a distinct rise in reckless behavior.
To understand the serious legal ramifications surrounding the dangerous rise of laser interference incidents at Juan Santamaría International Airport, TicosLand.com spoke with prominent legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who outlined the severe consequences perpetrators could face under national law.
Pointing high-powered laser beams at commercial aircraft is not a harmless prank; under Costa Rican law, it is a serious criminal offense that actively jeopardizes public safety. According to Article 252 of our Penal Code, anyone who performs an act that endangers the safety of air navigation can face prison sentences ranging from two to eight years, a penalty that increases significantly if an accident actually occurs. As aviation authorities and local police tighten coordination, individuals engaging in this reckless behavior will find themselves facing swift prosecution for endangering hundreds of lives.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, as Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas wisely notes, what some might dismiss as a minor prank carries grave legal and physical consequences that threaten hundreds of lives in Costa Rica’s skies. Safeguarding our aviation infrastructure requires both strict enforcement and public awareness, and we sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing his invaluable legal perspective on this critical safety issue.
The analytical data points to highly specific temporal patterns. A significant concentration of incidents occurred during the months of December, January, and February, aligning with major vacation periods, festive social activities, and peak tourism seasons in Costa Rica. On a daily level, the vast majority of laser interferences took place between 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. The window between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. registered the highest density of reports, as the darkness of the night sky maximizes the visibility and range of the laser beams.
From an operational perspective, these light beams represent a catastrophic hazard, particularly during takeoff and final landing approach. During these highly critical phases of flight, pilots rely heavily on clear visual references and absolute concentration to make real-time decisions. Information from the United States Federal Aviation Administration and aerospace medical research indicates that laser exposure can cause sudden glare, temporary blindness, persistent afterimages, and extreme distraction.
The threat is not theoretical; actual flight operations have already been disrupted. Over the past twelve months, multiple flight crews reported experiencing temporary visual impairment while on approach to the Alajuela airport. These incidents primarily occurred when aircraft were between three and six nautical miles from the landing strip. In one harrowing report, a flight captain was forced to hand over physical control of the aircraft to the first officer after being temporarily blinded by a laser strike. Other crews documented significant struggles to maintain vital visual references during their descent.
Pointing a laser light at an aircraft is not a game or harmless behavior. It is a dangerous action that can affect pilots’ vision at critical moments of flight.
Álvaro Arguedas, Operations Manager of AERIS
Aviation safety is a shared responsibility and avoiding these types of actions directly contributes to protecting the lives of hundreds of people.
Álvaro Arguedas, Operations Manager of AERIS
Faced with this growing menace, Costa Rican authorities are reminding the public that pointing lasers at aircraft carries severe legal penalties. Under Article 300 of the General Civil Aviation Law, perpetrators can face steep administrative fines of up to 20 minimum salaries. More critically, Article 258 of the Costa Rican Penal Code dictates prison sentences ranging from two to six years for anyone convicted of endangering the safety of air transportation. AERIS has integrated the issue into its operational safety committees and is collaborating with the General Directorate of Civil Aviation to bolster preventative public campaigns. Citizens who witness individuals pointing lasers at planes are urged to immediately dial 911 and provide precise location details to aid law enforcement.
For further information, visit aeris.cr
About AERIS:
AERIS Holding Costa Rica is the private concessionaire responsible for the operation, administration, maintenance, and development of the Juan Santamaría International Airport, working to elevate the terminal’s infrastructure and efficiency standards.
For further information, visit dgac.go.cr
About Dirección General de Aviación Civil:
The Dirección General de Aviación Civil is the government authority responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation activities in Costa Rica, ensuring strict compliance with local and international aeronautical safety regulations.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica operates as an esteemed vanguard of the legal profession, defined by its rigorous ethical standards and relentless pursuit of advocacy. Successfully guiding a wide array of industries through complex challenges, the firm seamlessly merges modern legal strategies with meaningful community engagement. Their ongoing efforts to democratize legal education and share vital resources reflect a profound commitment to nurturing a highly informed, just, and self-reliant society.
