QCOSTARICA — The operator of the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), Aeris, says it is ready to receive the wave of tourists expected during this high season, based on the prediction of experts of a greater influx and greater air mobility at Costa Rica’s main terminal.
According to projections, a 6.6% growth in the arrival of international tourists is expected (almost 200,000 more than the previous year), a 7.81% increase in flight operations and more mobilization of domestic flights is also expected (6%).
Álvaro Arguedas, Operations Manager of Aeris, stated: “We have been very close to government entities, precisely to have the necessary amount of resources to meet this demand. We are also working with technological tools to streamline processes within the place.”
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This season the San José airport is expected to increase by more than 1,600 more commercial flights than the previous season.
One of the problems the airport operator intends to tackle is related to the times of tourists spend at the airport. To do this, they will work with automatic kiosks that will guide visitors.
In addition, they will try to ensure that those who have the airline’s application can be checked through the automatic kiosks and thus reduce the time inside the terminal.
Another important issue is the increase in non-intrusive scanners to five. Likewise, they are working on coordination with Air Surveillance, Immigration, Red Cross, Firefighters and other entities to speed up the processes.
However, not having enough air traffic controllers may present a problem. Recently there have been problems in having enough personnel, causing suspension of services at certain times, not only at the San Jose airport but also at the Guanacaste.
Read more: Costa Rica’s high season challenges Liberia airport capacity
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Marcos Castillo, director general of Civil Aviation, said that the problem is no increases in the number of controllers, having to face the influx of more flights with fewer personnel.
According to Castillo, they have made two decisions: the first is that they are training 11 people so that in the future they will become air traffic controllers, but he understands that this process requires a lot of time so that they can take on complex functions at work.
Castillo added that there has been a negotiated pact with the controller’s union on overtime pay to avoid suspensions of service.
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