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Finally, and after years of different technical studies, the Costa Rican Government received today the full report with 2,829 pages regarding the technical viability, financial aspects and pre-design of the construction of a new international airport in Orotina, Alajuela.
In May of 2016 a $1.8 million contract with British engineering company Mott Macdonald was signed to conduct a technical and financial feasibility study regarding the construction of the International Metropolitan Airport of Costa Rica.
The study confirmed that the areas of Mastate, Ceiba and Coyolar in the county of Orotina are viable for the development of this project. It has the appropriate altitude (250 meters above sea level) and a low impact of winds.
The construction of the new airport in an area of 1,500 hectares will have three stages and is expected to be completed in 2027, with an initial investment of close to $2 billion USD.
“The first stage will be the passenger terminals, two strips and an access route that will take users to the terminal through the airport city and involves 128 thousand square meters; both the second stage (146 thousand square meters) and the third and last stage (186 thousand square meters) involve extensions to all the different areas, the passenger terminals, the strips, and the airport city, along with all the other support areas that are part of the project (loading areas, parking lots, etc.”, confirmed Horacio Rossi, Aviation Director of Mott MacDonald.
To guarantee the proper operation of the new airport, investments will have to be done in road and train infrastructure, this includes an expansion of the road known as Route 27 and Route 1 which connects San Ramón to San José.
According to the study, when the first stage is concluded the traffic estimated is of 7.8 million passengers; in twenty years this number should grow to 15.2 million. Once the airport is operating to full capacity it will generate close to 80 thousand direct, indirect and related jobs and will contribute $1.5 billion to the GNP.
“Costa Rica is a very competitive destination when it comes to tourism. We have witnessed the arrival of new airlines, the increase in the number of visitors. Due to this, the strengthening of the touristic infrastructure that will materialize with the New International Metropolitan Airport is a project that the Costa Rica Tourism Board applauds, because it represents a guarantee that we will continue to grow as a first-class tourism destination, it will provide the appropriate conditions to attract investment and the growth of exports”, said Mauricio Ventura, Minister of Tourism.
The proposed design and project include a modern and sustainable building that will incorporate the local culture and attractions in its design, while it includes state-of-the-art technology.
