No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeCosta RicaAirport Runway Condition Could Affect Tourism in Costa Rica

Airport Runway Condition Could Affect Tourism in Costa Rica

Four airlines have expressed their concern over the current state of the runway at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (AIDOQ), located in Liberia, Guanacaste.

Arajet from the Dominican Republic, Colombia’s Avianca, Spain’s Iberia, and Switzerland’s Edelweiss, notified the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) that the runway’s state could compromise their operations at the airport.

This matter was extensively discussed during a meeting held by the Civil Aviation Technical Council (CETAC) on June 13. The airport is a key point of entry for international visitors to Costa Rica, with an anticipated passenger traffic of 1.5 million this year.

It’s also a very important spot for airlines when unfavorable weather conditions or other challenges prevent them from landing at the Juan Santamaría International Airport.

Fernando Naranjo Elizondo, the Executive Director of the DGAC, revealed to CETAC that these airlines no longer consider AIDOQ a viable alternate airport due to its failure to meet the required Pavement Classification Number (PCN) for their aircraft.

PCN is a standard defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and it indicates a runway’s load-bearing capacity, preventing excessive wear and tear.

Swiss airline Edelweiss communicated to the DGAC that operations at AIDOQ would not be feasible considering the current condition of the runway. The airline further cautioned that there might be difficulties fulfilling the flight scheduled for June 14.

Naranjo noted that the approach taken for the June 14 flight would likely apply to future flights, complicating the reinstatement of AIDOQ as a destination for the airline.

It’s worth highlighting that Edelweiss commenced operations between Zurich and Liberia in November 2021. Its operations are carried out using an Airbus A340-300 that allows the transportation of up to 334 passengers.

The company had also increased the frequency of its flights to twice weekly in September 2022. However, Edelweiss has not officially announced the termination of its operations between Zurich and Liberia.

Currently, an uncertain panorama surrounds this issue. Undoubtedly, regular maintenance and updates of airport infrastructure are crucial to ensure the safety and reliability of air travel. Authorities must act promptly, as this is one of Costa Rica’s most important airports.

Trending Now

The Most Clueless Gringo in Costa Rica: A Satirical Take on Expat Life

If part of your online day includes mindless scrolling through reels, you’ve probably seen the Dos Equis beer parody commercials. The original ads featured the...

Costa Rica Marks National Parks Day with Free Entry This Sunday

As everyone knows by now, our country stands out for its strong focus on protecting the environment. It leads in conservation efforts, manages its...

Costa Rica’s Role in US Deportation Drama with Salvadoran Migrant

A Salvadoran man at the center of a heated US immigration battle could end up in Costa Rica if he accepts a guilty plea,...

Nicaragua Hosts Historic 2025 AmeriCup Basketball Tournament

The 2025 AmeriCup, the men’s basketball Copa América, tips off this Friday in Nicaragua, marking the most significant international sporting event in the country’s...

Honduras agrees to receive migrants under new US deportation agreement

The US has signed a new deportation agreement with Honduras, allowing officials to send migrants from other countries there instead of keeping them in...

Costa Rica’s Tourism Sector Alarmed Over Rising Violence and U.S. Criticism

Tourism leaders in Costa Rica are warning that rising crime and international criticism could damage the country’s reputation as one of Latin America’s safest...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica