Costa Rica's Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), located in Alajuela Province, has launched an expansion project, aimed at enhancing services for the growing number of travelers passing through the country’s busiest airport.

According to the Ministry of Public Work and Transportation (MOPT), the new facilities, estimated at $62.2 million, will be built on the western side of the current terminal, covering an area of approximately 16,500 square meters.

The new terminal will feature three floors: a basement for baggage handling, a second floor for international arrivals, and a third floor for international departures. Additional facilities include administrative offices, a customs zone and shopping areas.

With passenger traffic steadily increasing, authorities anticipate that by 2027, SJO will handle 6.5 million passengers annually. This number is expected to surpass 10 million by 2042, according to projections based on current growth trends.

The project is currently in its first phase, which involves selecting the construction firm. The entire expansion is expected to be completed over the next two years.

In 2024, SJO served 6.2 million passengers, a 9.2% increase compared to the 5.6 million passengers in 2023, according to AERIS, the Brazilian-based company that manages the airport. The rise in traffic includes both tourists and residents.

To streamline operations, the airport recently introduced automated border control systems, known as eGates. These self-service barriers use biometric data, such as facial features or fingerprints stored in passport chips, combined with facial recognition or fingerprint scans to verify travelers’ identities quickly and securely.

As Costa Rica’s tourism sector continues to grow, international airlines are increasing their flight frequencies to the country. Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris, for example, recently launched new nonstop flights between SJO and two major U.S. airports in Florida: Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Miami International Airport (MIA).

Costa Rica also achieved in 2024 foreign exchange earnings from the sector exceeding $5.4 billion, according to data from the Central Bank of Costa Rica.

As part of its strategy to boost tourism, the Tourism Institute recently promoted Costa Rica as a top travel destination at the Outdoor Adventure Show in Toronto, Canada.

Tourism is a key sector of Costa Rica's economy. The country welcomed over 2.6 million tourists by air in 2024, a 7% increase compared to 2023.

The Ministry of Public Work and Transportation (MOPT) oversees the planning and construction of roads, airports, and maritime ports, as well as regulating public transportation.