The construction of the new international airport, to be located in Orotina, will start in 2018, seven years ahead of the original start, according to the Dirección General de Aviación Civil (Civil Aviation).
Deputy Minister of Air Transport, Ana Cristina Jenkins, explained that the original plan was to start construction in 2025 when the concession contract of the Juan Santamaria international airport expires.
The advanced start date, explains the director of Avioción Civil, Alvaro Vargas, is due to the growing need for a larger facility, one that can accommodate larger aircraft and has more gates.
The plans for the new airport included two runways and two dozen gates, as compared to the single runway and 12 gates at the Santamaria. Vargas added the current airport has limitations with respect to the landing of certain aircraft.
The new airport plans include train service between San José and the airport terminal.
Deputy Minister Jenkins added that it is very possible that the new airport would be administered by way of a concession.
