Costa Rica’s first-ever general aviation terminal is set to be open in December at Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose.
Construction of Costa Rica’s first-ever general aviation terminal, which will be available to international private operations, is ongoing but expected to be completed in time for the busy 2019 holiday season according to one of the companies behind the project, Universal Weather and Aviation.
The new terminal, which will operate under the name GAT SJO General Aviation Terminal, is managed by a consortium composed of Universal Aviation Costa Rica and local partners. The general aviation terminal is part of a new domestic terminal at Juan Santamaría International Airport which covers 15,260 square feet.
Adolfo Aragon, senior vice president, Latin America and Caribbean at Universal said, “Upon opening, the general aviation terminal at Juan Santamaría International Airport will provide a faster, better, and more secure experience for business aircraft operators. The frustrating days of waiting in long lines mixed with commercial passengers, while being separated from your baggage are soon to be a thing of the past.”
Once the general aviation terminal is officially open, upon deplaning, private passengers will be shuttled by their handling agents from the parking area to the terminal, which will have a dedicated area for customs , immigration and quarantine.
Other features of the general aviation terminal include: an exclusive VIP area for private operators, a reduced ground time from plane to car, no co-mingling with commercial passengers and roof-covered access both roadside and rampside.
All private aviation ground handlers, as well as home-based operators at MROC, will be allowed to operate through GAT SJO General Aviation Terminal.
