Costa Rica’s peak tourism season threatened as airlines consider suspending flights to Guanacaste International Airport over runway maintenance concerns.
Guanacaste International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Costa Rica is experiencing both expansion and setbacks as it prepares for the peak tourism season set to begin next month. The airport, Central America’s fifth-busiest, is expanding its routes while simultaneously grappling the suspension of critical runway repairs by the National Emergency Commission (CNE) for a period of three to six months.
This halt in work has already led to Dutch carrier KLM redirecting its flights from Amsterdam to San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). Other carriers might well follow, with Arajet Airlines from the Dominican Republic, Avianca from Colombia, and Spain’s Iberia, all expressing reluctance to continue operations at the airport due to runway conditions. Swiss carrier Edelweiss has also communicated concerns to the Costa Rican government about potentially suspending its operations.
Growth Plans Clash with Current Challenges
The timing is particularly problematic as the airport enters the high season with 34 routes scheduled, including new direct flights planned by American Airlines from Philadelphia, Delta from Boston, and Alaska Airlines from San Francisco and Seattle. Recent figures showed promising growth, with passenger numbers for July through September reaching 344,864 – an increase of 36,867 compared to 2023.
Despite these challenges, airport management is working to maintain efficient operations during the busy season. César Jaramillo, the airport’s General Manager, says their goal is to keep passenger processing times under one hour during peak season, compared to the current off-season average of 30 minutes. To achieve this, the airport requires full staffing of 21 immigration officers for arrivals and 14 for departures, along with fully operational X-ray machines at customs and health screening points.
Meta es que los trámites de salida duren una hora por pasajero. #Turismo #CostaRica #Guanacaste #aeropuerto 👇 ✈️ 💸 https://t.co/Qu74RDIp15
— La República (@La_Republica) November 1, 2024
Industry Response and Future Outlook
Shirley Calvo, Executive Director of Costa Rica’s National Chamber of Tourism, has expressed concern about the runway repair delays. “This situation not only affects passengers scheduled to arrive in Liberia but also impacts Guanacaste’s air connectivity with strategic markets,” she said. “It’s crucial to maintain reliable execution schedules, as uncertainty affects airline confidence and Costa Rica’s competitiveness compared to other international destinations.”
The public and private sectors are working together to address these challenges, with government officials acknowledging the need for coordinated action to ensure visitors receive the best possible experience during the upcoming high season.
The current crisis presents a significant challenge for an airport that has previously demonstrated strong performance, serving 1.9 million passengers in 2023 and winning industry recognition for service quality. Public and private sectors are now working to address these challenges, though the immediate future of several international routes remains uncertain.
