Masterplan revealed for new US$3.5bn international airport in Costa Rica

Engineering, management and development consultancy firm Mott MacDonald has delivered details for a new US$3.5bn international airport in Alajuela, Costa Rica, to the Central American Corporation for Air Navigation Services (COCESNA – Corporación Centroamericana de Servicios de Navegación Aéra).

The project will replace the country’s Juan Santamaria International Airport in Costa Rica capital city San Jose, which will be unable to meet future passenger demand past 2026. Mott MacDonald has predicted 7.8 million passengers will use the new airport during its first year of operation in 2027, growing to 20 million in 2047.

A 12-month feasibility study conducted by the firm also recommended the expansion of Route 27, a key link between San Jose and Puntarenas. Mott MacDonald recommends the construction of a new highway in Alajuela, which would connect Pozon de Orotina and San Ramon, and a new train route between Orotina and San Jose. The plan was also delivered to the president of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solis, as part of the public presentation.

Horacio Rossi, Mott MacDonald’s project director, said, “This new international airport will go a long way to helping Costa Rica achieve its vision to further develop and improve its aviation services.

“The major infrastructure investment will also provide the additional capacity to support both export and tourism, as well as offer opportunities for local employment and skills development, especially during construction.”