The manager of the international airport, Juan Santamaría, in San José has come under fire for denying an emergency landing for a medical helicopter.
Carmonair has filed an complaint against the airport when it could not land its helicopter to take on fuel on its way to picking up a patient with heart problems in Nosara. According to Carmonair, the patient is a foreigner in Costa Rica and required immediate transport to a San José medical facility.
The problem is that the heliport at the international airport is closed nightly to allow for work being carried out at the terminal.
The manager of the airport explains that the machinery used in the work is located around the helipad, causing it to be unusable. The work is expected to be completed by the end of the month, possibly as early as April 27, says the manager.
Carmonair argues, being an emergency, the helicopter could have been granted landing in another area of the terminal to take on fuel.
The company, in its filing with Aviación Civil (Civil Aviation), says it had to wait until 5am to be able to take on fuel and pick up the patient.
Aviacion officials confirm receiving the complaint and are analyzing the situation.
