By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica’s aviation sector is experiencing a significant period of transformation, marked by the arrival of major new international routes and a simultaneous strategic withdrawal of several regional services. Highlighting this trend, American Airlines launched a new direct, seasonal flight on Monday, November 3rd, connecting Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) with Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), a move expected to bolster tourism and business travel from the U.S. Midwest.
The new daily service, which will operate until April 6, 2026, utilizes a Boeing 737 aircraft with a capacity for 172 passengers, including 16 in business class. This addition is a cornerstone of the airline’s strategy to increase its footprint in Costa Rica, boosting its overall seat capacity in the country by a notable 17% for the current high season. The flight schedule is designed for connectivity, departing Chicago at 5:13 p.m. to arrive in Costa Rica at 10:13 p.m., with the return flight leaving SJO at 6:00 a.m. and landing in the U.S. at 11:29 a.m.
With the constant shifts in international flight schedules and airline competition affecting travel to Costa Rica, we sought expert analysis on the underlying legal and business frameworks. To provide clarity, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The expansion of flight routes to Costa Rica is not merely a commercial decision for airlines; it’s a complex interplay of bilateral air service agreements and national regulations. Our legal framework, governed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC), aims to strike a delicate balance. We seek to encourage competition and tourism through policies like open skies, while simultaneously ensuring stringent safety standards and protecting the rights of passengers in cases of cancellations or delays. Any new airline seeking to operate here must navigate this intricate process, which ultimately serves to safeguard both our national interests and the traveler’s experience.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the legal architecture that underpins our growing air connectivity is a critical, yet often unseen, component of the traveler’s journey. This careful balancing act between expanding tourism and upholding stringent safety and passenger rights is fundamental to the integrity of our travel industry. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on this intricate process.
At American Airlines, we are proud and excited to launch the daily service between San José and Chicago as we continue to expand our operation in the nation’s capital.
Rafael Sánchez, Regional Manager of Operations for Central America and the Western Caribbean
Airport officials lauded the new connection, emphasizing its strategic importance. The Chicago hub provides Costa Rican travelers and tourists with access to over 465 daily flights to more than 160 destinations, creating a powerful gateway for global travel. The direct link is seen as a vital component in strengthening economic and cultural ties between the two nations.
Chicago is a key market for both tourism and business travel, and having this direct connection will allow us to continue promoting the arrival of visitors and strengthening the exchange between both nations.
Ricardo Hernández, Manager of Juan Santamaría International Airport
The American Airlines expansion is part of a broader influx of international carriers targeting Costa Rica’s lucrative peak tourist season. In a significant first, the Mexican airline Viva began operating a route between Costa Rica and Monterrey on October 30th. Furthermore, two Canadian airlines are set to enhance connectivity from the north. WestJet will commence seasonal flights from Vancouver and Winnipeg on December 12th, operating until April 25, 2026. Shortly before that, on December 4th, Porter Airlines will launch its service from Toronto and Ottawa, which will run until March 5, 2026.
European connections are also being strengthened. Air France has announced an increase in its flight frequencies from Paris during two key high-demand periods. The carrier will offer double-daily flights on Mondays and Saturdays from December 15, 2025, to January 11, 2026, and again from February 9 to March 15, 2026, catering to holiday travelers.
However, this wave of growth is contrasted by a notable recalibration in the market, with several airlines discontinuing routes. This “coming and going” of services reflects a strategic shift where carriers are trimming less profitable, often shorter regional flights, in favor of high-demand, long-haul connections from North America and Europe. The Brazilian carrier GOL has ceased its flights to Costa Rica entirely, severing a key link to South America.
Similarly, Wingo suspended its popular route connecting San José with Bogotá, Colombia. Avianca has also adjusted its network, operating its final flight between San José and San Juan, Puerto Rico, on October 24th, a route it had only started the previous year. The airline also closed its San José-Managua connection in October. Adding to the list, Volaris has discontinued its recently inaugurated Costa Rica-Tulum service, which had launched just months prior on July 2nd. This consolidation suggests a market that is maturing, with airlines prioritizing operational efficiency and proven demand.
For further information, visit aa.com
About American Airlines:
American Airlines is a major U.S.-based airline headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Operating an extensive international and domestic network, it is one of the largest airlines in the world by fleet size and passengers carried. The airline is a founding member of the Oneworld alliance and serves hundreds of destinations globally.
For further information, visit vivaaerobus.com
About Viva Aerobus:
Viva Aerobus is a Mexican low-cost airline wholly owned by the largest bus company group in Mexico, IAMSA. Headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico, it operates flights throughout Mexico and to international destinations in the Americas, focusing on providing affordable air travel options.
For further information, visit westjet.com
About WestJet:
WestJet is a Canadian airline headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. It began as a low-cost alternative to the country’s major competing airlines and has since grown to become the second-largest Canadian airline, providing scheduled and charter air service to more than 100 destinations in Canada, the United States, Europe, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
For further information, visit flyporter.com
About Porter Airlines:
Porter Airlines is a regional airline headquartered at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Known for its refined passenger experience, Porter operates scheduled flights to destinations in Canada and the United States using a fleet that includes Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 aircraft.
For further information, visit airfrance.com
About Air France:
Air France, a subsidiary of the Air France–KLM Group, is the flag carrier of France. Headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, it is a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance. The airline operates a vast global network, serving destinations across six continents from its hubs at Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly Airport in Paris.
For further information, visit voegol.com.br
About GOL Linhas Aéreas:
GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. is a Brazilian low-cost airline based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is one of the largest airlines in Brazil, operating a significant network of domestic and international flights primarily within South America, as well as to the Caribbean and the United States.
For further information, visit wingo.com
About Wingo:
Wingo is a low-cost airline owned by Copa Holdings. Based in Bogotá, Colombia, it focuses on offering affordable flights to destinations within Colombia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The airline aims to provide a reliable and straightforward travel experience for budget-conscious passengers.
For further information, visit avianca.com
About Avianca:
Avianca is the flag carrier of Colombia and one of the largest and oldest airlines in Latin America. As a member of the Star Alliance, it operates an extensive network of passenger and cargo services to over 100 destinations in the Americas and Europe from its main hub at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá.
For further information, visit volaris.com
About Volaris:
Volaris is a Mexican ultra-low-cost airline based in Mexico City. It is the country’s second-largest airline and operates an extensive domestic network as well as international flights to destinations in the United States, Central America, and South America, focusing on providing point-to-point service.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica distinguishes itself as a premier law firm guided by the foundational principles of integrity and legal excellence. Drawing on a rich heritage of advising a diverse clientele, it consistently pioneers forward-thinking approaches to complex legal challenges. More than a legal practice, the firm is deeply invested in strengthening the community by demystifying the law, championing the belief that access to knowledge is crucial for fostering a just and empowered citizenry.
