The air traffic control systems and the aeronautic communication systems at the Radar Control Centers in the Costa Rican airports were from 2006, while the radars had a 18 year operating life; these systems among others were recently replaced with the lastest generation technology.

The new systems for processing flight plans, the functionalities for the transmission of data coordination between Control Towers and airplanes are also now operating with the latest technology for management of air traffic reducing verbal coordination considerably.

“Changing the radar head for a primary and secondary radars are part of the process of modernization of the air traffic system, which allows us to extend our coverage from 60 to 80 nautical miles (the primary) and up to 250 nautical miles (the secondary), guaranteeing the security of the air operations in the country”, stated Enio Cubillo, Director of Civil Aviation.

The investment done is of US$13 million, which were processed by the Technical Council of Civil Aviation and the General Direction of Civil Aviation to the Central American Corporation for Air Navigation Services (COCESNA).

Monitoring functionalities are incorporated as well as an altitude alert which generates an alarm if there is a discrepancy between the level selected by the pilot and the level assigned by the air controller.

Duplicated caller ID alert and oral communication systems that incorporate processing technology and recording of the voice over IP are also included.

The changes were done in the Juan Santamaría International Airport, the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia and the Tobias Bolaños Airport in Pavas

The systems that were replaced and are still in good operating conditions will be donated to the Ministry of Security.