QCOSTARICA — On Tuesday, June 4, Southwest Airlines inaugurated a new direct route between the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Costa Rica, and the Orlando International Airport (MCO) in the United States.
The first flight arrived at Costa Rica’s major international airport at 12:45 noon with 176 passengers. Flights between San Jose and Orlando will be daily, strengthening connectivity and representing a significant boost for both markets, promoting cultural, economic and tourist exchange in both countries.
In the tourism context, this specific route has great potential to increase the flow of visitors between Costa Rica and the United States. Costa Rica is a destination highly valued for its natural beauties, biodiversity and commitment to sustainable tourism, characteristics that attract international tourists in search of authentic and ecological experiences.
– Advertisement –
According to data from the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) – Costa Rican Tourism board, the number of tourists from the United States to Costa Rica increased by almost 50% between 2014 and 2023, with more than 1.4 million passengers arriving by air during the last year.
Furthermore, during the first quarter of this year, Costa Rica recorded the entry of 643,141 American travelers, consolidating the United States as the main source market for tourists to Costa Rica.
“Connectivity with the United States is essential for us; because it is our main market. More than 60% of the tourists who come to Costa Rica are Americans and ensuring that we have a new connection to a city that is important, not only for the export of tourism, but for what it has and represents in the United States is essential.
“Costa Rica is the third country after Mexico and Canada, in attracting the most important North American airlines, so this inaugural Southwest Airlines flight from Orlando is confirmation that we are an attractive destination for airlines, a destination that gives them utility and profits, this benefits not only the North Americans who come but also the Ticos who go, we have that characteristic that few countries have,” said William Rodríguez, Costa Rica’s Minister of Tourism.
The opening of this new air route represents a joint work between the ICT and AERIS, the manager of the Juan Santamaría International Airport.
Daily, flights will depart Costa Rica at 8:55 am, arriving in Orland at 2:15 pm. The return flight leaves Orlando at 11:30 am to arrive in Sam Jose at 12:45 pm.
– Advertisement –
“At AERIS, we are proud to welcome the first direct Southwest Airlines flight from the city of Orlando. This new connection is a testament to the growth and importance of Juan Santamaría International Airport at the country and regional level. We continue to work hard to offer airlines and passengers a high-quality experience, facilitating the growth of tourism and the local economy,” commented Ricardo Hernández, executive director of AERIS.
With the addition of the Orlando route, the Juan Santamaría International Airport connects Costa Rica with 39 destinations around the world, through the operation of 25 airlines, which contributes significantly to the comprehensive development of the aeronautical and tourism sector in the region.
During 2023, more than 5.6 million passengers transited through the main Costa Rican air terminal, which represented an increase of 21.8% compared to the previous year.
– Advertisement –
Source link
Rico
