Air traffic controllers suspend threat of flight delays and pursue agreement with the Minister of Transport

ARCHIVE

Published Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Calendar

Tourism

Classifieds

Real Estate

Lifestyle

Food

About Us

Air traffic controllers suspend threat of flight delays
and pursue agreement with the Minister of Transport

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

  Members of the Union of Professional Controllers of the Air Traffic of Costa Rica (SITECNA), said they will not delay flights at different airports meanwhile they reach an agreement with Rodolfo Mendez, Minister of Transportation. Their announcement took place after a Monday meeting at the Minister's office.

The agreement that will be signed with the Minister will be published in the next few hours.

Union members stated that the announcement of possible flight delays was a pressure measure being used due to problems that have been facing them for several years.

As A.M. Costa Rica reported on Monday, members of the union said that air traffic controllers had to face problems like the lack of controllers to fill vacant positions, nonpayment of accumulated vacations, non-payment of overtime, and lack of training courses.

Controllers complained that "for several years we have no plan to replace the seats of colleagues who have retired and others who have left the system." According to them, there are not enough trained controllers to cover services in the air traffic control tower.

Another complaint is that of the workers in the control tower, "have more than 1,000 days of accumulated vacations." The same problem is happening with workers at the Radar Control Center, and other service stations so the operators are warning that "we have been working tirelessly," said Union members.

Controllers also complain that they have not been paid for the overtime worked in December, January, and February. During those months, air traffic has increased and they have "worked extra hours to try to maintain the system, however, we have not paid."

Another issue that worries operators is the lack of training on updated systems. The training was promised but has not been provided. "Operators should attend to knowledge refresher at least every 18 months," but updates have only been provided every 24 months, they said.

Air traffic controllers said that these and other complaints were discussed with the directors of the Civil Aviation Directorate General, but, far from finding a solution, they claimed that "we have received persecution and ill-intentioned actions against several members."

For these reasons, the operators announced since Saturday, that "they will continue to notice, air traffic services will work with the resources and possibilities that exist, so it is possible that flights [will] experience some delay, depending on the time and day they leave."

Guillermo Hoppe, director of Civil Aviation, said the number of trained controllers has been growing smaller as a result of the retirement of a significant number of controllers. That has affected us," he said. Mr. Hoppe added "It has not been possible to replace the employees with the speed that we want."

The director confirmed that the hiring process for controllers is slow, so he has called on the current controllers to "continue working as a team and ensure the highest level of safety."

Possible solutions to the problems in air traffic control are expected.

A.M. Costa Rica wire services photo

Daniel Oduber Airport in Guanacaste was ranked as second best attention to passengers category.

According to the statistics of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, in 2003 were registered 146,974 flights in the four main airports in the country, Juan Santamaría in Alajuela*, Daniel Oduber in Guanacaste*, Tobias Bolaños in Pavas* and International Airport of Limon*. By 2017 there were 177,593 flights, which is equivalent to an increase of 20 percent.

Since January, another problem has been slow customer service at the Alajuela airport.

The General Directorate of Migration confirmed that on March 3, there were 52 officers present at the airport to attend 19,579 people entering and departing the country. According to Migration, 137 flights accounted for 9,892 passengers leaving Costa Rica and 9,687 passengers arriving on Saturday, all at Juan Santamaría in Alajuela*. There was a constant and fluid flow of passengers at the international airport, so it was necessary reinforced the staff with 22 more officers, going from 30 regular officers to 52.

A similar problem of slow lines at the airport happened related to a problem involving access to the Interpol consulting system.

In that case, the General Directorate of Migration reported the problem caused a slow-down of the routine processing of passports for both incoming and outgoing passengers at the airports of Alajuela and Guanacaste.

Migration reported that a problem with communication access was detected because the judicial branch was carrying out maintenance work and could not query Interpol. Interpol access consists of a search of orders of international captures and passports stolen or lost worldwide. This means that immigration officers have to rely on national and international arrest warrants, which were issued by the court.

----------
Should the government find a faster way to hire and train new air traffic controllers? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com

*Link to reach the place.

Defensive Pistol Training

Advanced training for beginners
and experienced shooters.

Learn habits that keep you Safe.

Develop relaxed, effective ways of seeing trouble before it starts and peaceful ways to avoid it.

Become fluent with your gun.

Instructor Qualifications click here: https://shootingcr.com/about/

CALL TODAY!

Paul 506-8898-9398

Email: fuzzlong@gmail.com

Legal Advisor

LEGAL PROBLEMS HAVE YOU TRAPPED?

TIRED OF THE RUNNAROUND?

TIRED OF EXCUSES?

TIRED OF BEING IN THE DARK?

TIRED OF THE ENDLESS FLOW OF DOCUMENTS?

YOU NEED PROBLEM SOLVING CENTER CR SEMINARS!

WE HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE TO HELP YOU:

INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF YOUR CASE

EXPLANATION OF LEGAL TERMS AND PROCESSES

SIMULTANEOUS TRANSLATION

CULTURAL COMPETENCY

SPANISH CLASSES

FORECLOSURES

WE GET RESULTS!

Email: problemsolvingcentercr@outlook.com

Local phone: (506) 8919 - 4545

Residency Experts

Costa Rica’s #1 SOURCE for relocation since 1980.
Experience what is is REALLY like to live in Costa Rica.
HIGHEST RELOCATION RATE with well-over 10,000 people of all ages relocated SUCCESSFULLY with our tours and guidebooks.
The ONLY relocation tour LEGALLY LICENSED and APPROVED by the Costa Rican Government and RECOMMENDED by The Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR).
Best VALUE, contacts and MORE areas of the country covered.
ALL tours include a highly - INFORMATIVE two-day seminar with the country's most RENOWNED EXPERTS in their fields.

Sample Video of the tour HERE

Toll Free from U.S. 877-884-2502 or 800-365-2342

Costa Rica LANDLINE 011-506-2261-8892

Costa Rica MOBILE 011-506-8849-0081

Skype: costarisa
E-mail: christopher@costaricabooks.com

All tour conducted by Christopher Howard Costa Rica¹s MOST-READ relocation author.
See www.liveincostarica.com for details and itineraries.

Code:9401-031019

Javier Zavaleta
Residency in Costa Rica
A full service immigration agency
U.S. and San José offices

There are four primary ways to apply for legal residency:
Retiree (Pensionado): For those with a pension or other retirement income.
Legal Resident (Rentista): For those with guaranteed non-salary income or savings.
Business/Investor (Inversionista): For those with Costa Rican business or real estate investments.
Marriage/Relation (Vinculo): For those married to or related to a Costa Rican citizen.

WHICH OPTION IS BEST FOR YOU?
Getting and authenticating documents can be a chore. We know how to do it. Experienced with many nationalities. Up-to-date on Costa Rica's evolving immigration law. Your first stop for smooth, professional service and a positive experience.
Javier Zavaleta
Residency in Costa Rica
P. O. Box 86352, Los Angeles, CA 90086
U.S. Phone: (323) 255-6116
U.S. Fax (323) 344-1620
Phone in Costa Rica: ( 506 ) 2226-0755
(En español )
Email: javier@residencyincostarica.com
Web: www.residencyincostarica.com

Click here for another video

The Relocation/Retirement tour with the
*HIGHEST SUCCESS RATE
OF RELOCATION*
(as reported by the moving companies)

Visit many rental options to actually experience the price/amenity options available in more of the areas chosen by Expats for security, comfort, and quality of life.

Meet many Expats who are willing to share their experiences and how the tour has value long after the “lust” wears off.
See how to choose a Retirement tour video by past guest! HERE!

Ask the others what you get for your money, and then compare the quality of accommodations, quality, quantity and variety of food and drink to measure the best value for your money.

Learn how others “talk the talk” and learn who really can “walk the walk”

Please visit my Web site to contact my references.

George Lundquist, Retirement, Relocation, and Lifestyle Guide.
Email : lundquistgeorge@gmail.com

U.S. Income Tax & Accounting

James Brohl, C.P.A. & M.B.A.

US Income Tax, U.S. GAAP Accounting
& Business Consulting

Specializing in all matters of concern to U.S. taxpayers residing abroad including:

• IRS filing requirements of foreign income tax exclusion (up to $104,100 for 2018).

• Past-due tax returns: Taxpayers filing before an IRS notice do not face criminal sanctions.

• Reporting foreign financial assets: FBAR and foreign corporations.

• Up-to-date FATCA news.

• All US Tax return preparation:

individual, business, estate and trust.

• eFile returns: secure with faster refunds.

• Business consulting to facilitate working in Costa Rica

Telephone 8305-3149 or 2256-8620
E-mail jrtb_1999@yahoo.com

Code:9362-040819

U.S. Tax International
Plus Costa Rican taxes, accounting, and legal services. Over 16 years in Costa Rica

U.S. Income Tax Preparation
Quarterly and Annual Payroll Tax Returns
Corporate Tax Returns
Tax Planning
Corporate Formation
FATCA Compliance - Form 8938
FBAR
Report of Foreign Corporations - Form 5471
Assist with back reporting and other filing issues

Take advantage of the Foreign Income Tax Exclusion
Applications for ITINs for non Resident Alien Spouses

Contact Us:
U.S +786-206-9473
CR +506-2290-3060 or +506-6242-9879

E-mail: accounting1@ustaxinternational.com

www.ustaxinternational.com

Code:9398-xxx

Real Estate Agents & Services

Exclusive Source for
Costa Rica Real Estate

We are an award-winning Team of Professional Agents working with Costa Rica’s #1 Selling Real Estate Agency RE/MAX Prestige Ocean Properties. Get to KNOW, LIKE & TRUST us and let us help you find YOUR Pura Vida! We have over 30 years of experience to educate our buyers and sellers in all aspects of Real Estate. For Information on condos, homes, lots, farms, ranches, commercial or development property.

Link to Playas del Coco listings page HERE

Link to Playa Panama listings page HERE

Link to Playa Hermosa listings page HERE

Link to Peninsula Papagayo listings page HERE

Link to Playa Matapalo listings page HERE

Ask for free tour to
A.M. Costa Rica's readers

CR office phone: 506 2672-1298
CR cell phone: 506-8867-6929
Toll Free 1-877-293-1456
Email: michael@costarica-realestate.com

Code:9174-020719

     Costa Rica's first Realtor specialized in Eco Properties, Eco Consulting, Green Living and Hotel Real Estate & Hotel Consulting. Own farm with sustainable development project under planning. 

• Specialized in the Central and South Pacific, Hotels in the whole country.
• Great network of Realtors, to find your dream property.
• Homes, condominium & luxury homes.
• Eco lodges and hotels. 
• Green properties and waterfalls.
• Farms and project developments.
• Property management in the Jaco/Garabito area. 
• Hotel Real Estate and Hotel Consulting.

Emails:
info@ecorealtorscr.com 
peter@hotels4salecostarica.com
 
Visit our sites: 
www.ecorealtorscr.com  
www.hotels4salecostarica.com

Telephone: +506 8825-6556
US phone: 1-626-461-7851
Skype: ecorealtorscr
 Follow us on Facebook: ecorealtorscr

Green NAR designee, member of the CCBR, CRGAR

Code:9368-112118