Flying Privately To Costa Rica Is About To Get Easier

Universal Aviation Costa Rica is part of a consortium known as GAT SJO that has been chosen to manage a new general aviation terminal (GAT) at the country’s Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). The first facility of its kind in Costa Rica, the future GAT, part of the airport’s domestic terminal, will be available exclusively for international private operations. GAT SJO also includes local handlers and was selected after a public RFP process by Aeris Holdings, which operates the airport under agreement with the Costa Rican government.

Renovation for the GAT area in the terminal will begin this summer and is expected to be completed by September. Currently, private passengers and their baggage have to mix with commercial passengers in the international airline terminal for customs and immigration services upon arrival and departure. With the new process, after landing, private passengers and their luggage will be shuttled from the parking area to the GAT where there will be a dedicated customs, immigration, and quarantine (CIQ) area.

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“We are thrilled that the Costa Rican government, airport authorities, and Aeris recognized the need for a dedicated GAT to improve the privacy, experience, safety, and security of private operators at MROC/SJO,” said Adolfo Aragon, Univeral’s senior vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean. “The new GAT will drastically reduce private operators' time on the ground.”