• From January 1st to December 31st, 2023, 5.7 million passengers (inbound and outbound) transited the SJO.
• December 2023 was the month with the highest passenger traffic in the history of the main air terminal.
• These results are proof of the efforts of the AERIS people in coordination with all the authorities involved.

January, 2024. With a total of 5,682,476 passengers (inbound and outbound), last 2023 became the year with the highest passenger traffic in the history of Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS).

Thus, it surpassed the previous record year, 2019, when a total of 5,185,510 passengers were registered.

Another sign of the relevance of this milestone is that in the comparison of the total of 2023 with what was accounted in an already successful 2022, there is a 22% increase in the number of travelers from one year to the next, reported AERIS, interested manager of AIJS.

“In the recent past, we have worked to recover the pre-pandemic figures, then to surpass them – an aspect that has been achieved since February of last year – and now we are pleased to find ourselves in a stage of breaking records. With the support of the CCR Group, our majority shareholder, and the efforts of AERIS people, who work with commitment and excellence, we are excited to contribute to the development of tourism during the rest of the high season that will extend through April, where we will continue to be the gateway to Costa Rica’s PURA VIDA experiences,” said Ricardo Hernandez, executive director of AERIS.

The results are largely due to the connectivity offered at AIJS, as part of the articulated work carried out by AERIS and the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) with the support of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) for the attraction and consolidation of more airlines and destinations, as well as the increase of frequencies.

“Costa Rica’s main air terminal has 25 airlines that connect with 39 destinations. During this 2024 we will continue to strengthen connections with the world by participating in different industry events and meetings with airlines so that international tourists can travel to Costa Rica more easily and also Costa Ricans can travel to the destinations of their choice,” commented Erick Barboza, Director of Business Development at AERIS.

Good omen for high season. The first months of the 2023-2024 high season are positive, with a flow of 439,472 and 576,632 passengers in November and December, respectively.

December 2023 by itself is the month with the most passengers in the entire history of the AIJS international terminal.

The day with the highest passenger movement record corresponded to December 30, where the number of outbound passengers alone was 12,148.

About AERIS Costa Rica

AERIS HOLDING COSTA RICA is a company of the CCR Group, which operates under the stakeholder management model at the Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS), taking care of its operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, construction, financing and promotion.

The company seeks to exceed the expectations of its stakeholder management contract in a cross-cutting manner to sustainability, generating social, environmental and economic value. AERIS is committed to providing a “Pura Vida” travel experience for passengers transiting through the main gateway to the country and to generate positive impact to Costa Rica and its stakeholders.

AERIS draws on the experience of its parent companies: HAS Development Corporation and Grupo CCR of Brazil, the latter as the main shareholder and with stakes in the international airports of Quito Ecuador, Curacao and Belo Horizonte in Brazil.

It currently connects Costa Rica with 39 destinations around the world, through 25 international commercial airlines and two domestic airlines that operate in its facilities.

• United Airlines will operate flights from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to six U.S. cities this U.S. winter season: Denver (DEN), New York/Newark (EWR), Washington-Dulles (IAD), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), and Chicago (ORD).
• The airline has resumed flights to DEN, IAD, LAX and ORD from the SJO for the US winter season and has increased weekly operations to the six US cities compared to last winter in the US.

December, 2023. This winter season in the United States, passengers can travel to and from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and the United States easier than ever with United Airlines.

United has resumed flights to the U.S. cities of Denver, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and Chicago for the U.S. winter season, while also increasing service to these U.S. cities compared to last winter season. In addition, the airline has increased flights to Houston (Texas) and New York/Newark, which operate year-round.

This reactivation of U.S. destinations and increased service is United Airlines’ response to the peak season. In addition, with this announcement, United Airlines becomes the largest airline flying from the SJO and is the only airline offering non-stop flights to six U.S. destinations.

“As a gateway to Costa Rica’s pura vida experiences, we celebrate the resumption and increase of frequencies announced by United Airlines; because we are aware of the importance of the North American market for our country, and above all because it will be an additional incentive for more passengers to decide to travel during this high season,” said Erick Barboza, Director of Business Development for AERIS.”

This winter in the U.S., United will fly from Juan Santamaría Airport to Houston between 14 and 21 times per week, New York/Newark between 7 and 21 times per week, Denver and Los Angeles 2 times per week, Washington-Dulles between 1 and 2 times per week, and Chicago 1 time per week.

“With 33 years of service to Costa Rica, our commitment at United Airlines is to connect people and bring the world together, and the increase in frequencies and destinations to major U.S. cities allows us to have a wide network of travel options for our customers to meet their travel needs,” added Carlos Granados, Country Sales Manager Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

United Airlines will offer an average of 45 weekly nonstop flights from Juan Santamaría International Airport during the peak season from November 2023 to March 2024.

About AERIS Costa Rica

AERIS HOLDING COSTA RICA is a company of the CCR Group, which operates under the stakeholder management model at the Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS), taking care of its operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, construction, financing and promotion.

The company seeks to exceed the expectations of its stakeholder management contract in a transversal manner to sustainability, generating social, environmental and economic value. AERIS is committed to providing a “Pura Vida” travel experience for passengers transiting through the main gateway to the country and to generate positive impact to Costa Rica and its stakeholders.

AERIS draws on the experience of its parent companies: HAS Development Corporation and Grupo CCR of Brazil, the latter as the main shareholder and with stakes in the international airports of Quito Ecuador, Curacao and Belo Horizonte in Brazil.

Currently, it connects Costa Rica with 37 destinations around the world, through 25 international commercial airlines and two domestic airlines that operate in its facilities.

About United Airlines

At United, good leads the way. With hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark/New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American airlines and is currently the world’s largest airline in terms of available seats. For more information about joining the United team, visit www.united.com/careers and for more information about the company visit www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “UAL”.

Passengers at Juan Santamaría Airport can support children in vulnerable communities

• Costa Rica’s main air terminal dedicates a space for those interested in making a voluntary monthly contribution. With the funds raised in the last two months, 282 educational resource kits have been provided.
• Entities join efforts to create a safe space in a community near AIJS, so that children have access to protection from violence and discrimination and improve their educational opportunities.

December, 2023. Passengers transiting through the Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS) will be able to become donors for the benefit of vulnerable children, thanks to an alliance between AERIS, the airport’s manager, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

“AERIS establishes within its strategic lines of sustainability the support and generation of projects that benefit children’s education and child welfare. We are honored to work together with UNICEF, as it is an ally that identifies with our strategy and has a high reputation in terms of governance and generation of results,” said Ricardo Hernandez, CEO of AERIS.

The campaign supports UNICEF’s Hazte Socio initiative, which is being carried out simultaneously in more than 50 countries, and those interested can join with a voluntary monthly contribution. In the case of AIJS, there is a team identified to receive potential donors in a stand, which is located in the central aisle of the boarding areas of the main air terminal of the country.

During the month of October and November of this year, more than 470 new “partners” were counted, which translates into the contribution of 282 educational resource kits for children in vulnerable situations. The kits include supplies and materials for early childhood development. In addition, the initiative seeks to support schoolchildren with uniforms and computers.

“AERIS is a key ally given its interest in the development of various initiatives aimed at protecting the rights of this population, as well as reaching hundreds of people. In this way, UNICEF can raise awareness among members of the airport community about the issues affecting children and encourage the defense of their rights,” said Juan Manuel Baldares, Acting Representative of UNICEF Costa Rica.

How to donate at AIJS?

At the stand, registration and the first donation will be made through a tablet that has all the required data protection and security measures. With the clarification that, by internal policy and as a security measure, UNICEF does not receive cash.

Once the first disbursement is made, subsequent monthly donations of the agreed amount will be made automatically. In addition, members will receive periodic information in their e-mails about the positive impact of their contribution in the different programs to which they are destined.

Support for education

The focus of the alliance between AERIS and UNICEF is to support education by promoting the development of skills and school continuity in vulnerable populations in different areas of the country such as Los Chiles, Pococí, Sarapiquí, Tilarán, Puntarenas, Coto Brus, Talamanca, La Cruz, among others, with the expectation of generating a positive impact on more than 12,000 children.

This campaign has an execution period of one year; however, aligned with AERIS’ commitment to education and child welfare, it will be extended for as long as the parties agree, to address other issues such as nutrition, violence and inclusion.

“Both institutions are looking to develop other synergies for the benefit of children. Costa Rica’s main terminal will maintain its objective of contributing to the growth of new generations that are educated, protected, prosperous, healthy and resilient,” said Adriana Bejarano, head of Environment, Health and Safety at AERIS.

Similarly, as part of the joint work, a project is currently underway to create a safe space in the community Vistas de Santa Maria, in Alajuela, which is adjacent to the airport and is considered a vulnerable community, where there is an important opportunity to contribute to the development of children in the area of influence and impact of AIJS.

The plan includes the creation of this safe space for children to have access to protection from violence and discrimination and to improve their educational opportunities. The space will be equipped according to the needs of the children in the area, such as didactic resources and a sports area. The first phase of the project, which consisted of identifying the requirements of the underage population and their parents, was completed this year. In 2024, the space will be ready for use.

About AERIS Costa Rica

AERIS HOLDING COSTA RICA is a company of the CCR Group, which operates under the management model interested in the Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS), being in charge of its operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, construction, financing and promotion.

The company seeks to exceed the expectations of its stakeholder management contract in a cross-cutting manner to sustainability, generating social, environmental and economic value. AERIS is committed to providing a “Pura Vida” travel experience for passengers transiting through the main gateway to the country and to generate positive impact to Costa Rica and its stakeholders.

AERIS draws on the experience of its parent companies: HAS Development Corporation and Grupo CCR of Brazil, the latter as the main shareholder and with stakes in the international airports of Quito Ecuador, Curacao and Belo Horizonte in Brazil.

It currently connects Costa Rica with 37 destinations around the world, through 25 international commercial airlines and two domestic airlines that operate from its facilities.

About UNICEF: UNICEF works in some of the toughest places to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. In 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for all.

For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, please visit https://www.unicef.org/costarica.

For more media information, please contact: Ximena Alfaro, [email protected]

Ronny Gudiño, [email protected]

Xinia Miranda Cascante, UNICEF Costa Rica, [email protected]

• “Ella Es Astronauta” (She´s an astronaut), a program that inspires and empowers future leaders in STEAM careers, in partnership with NASA’s Space Center, has transformed the lives of more than 200 girls in 6 Latin American countries.
• AERIS, the interested manager of the Juan Santamaría International Airport, is one of the partners of the initiative.

December, 2023. Costa Rica will mark history again with the second mission of 10 girls and young women to travel to NASA’s Space Center Houston, with the “She Is Astronaut” program of the Colombian SHE IS Foundation, with the purpose of providing them access to STEAM education and empowering them to be future leaders and agents of change in their territories.

In the last 4 months, the 10 Tico girls and young women have been trained in STEAM areas and soft skills, through virtual sessions with NASA instructors and the great allies of the program such as Organon, Goya, Grupo INS, Mastercard, Nike, AERIS, Totto, EY, Masco, and United Airlines, who make the girls’ dream possible and promote female empowerment through education.

“This initiative is very much aligned with AERIS’ commitment to generate positive impact in Costa Rica, not only in the short term, but also for the next generations. What today is to provide young people with tools and promote equality, diversity and inclusion, tomorrow will be reflected in women leaders who will inspire others to perform in any industry they choose,” said Ricardo Hernandez, executive director of AERIS, the manager of the Juan Santamaria International Airport.

This December 4, the crew members will begin a new adventure in one of the largest space centers in the world and will be immersed in a unique learning environment at NASA’s Space Center Houston in Texas, United States. During this experience, they will be surrounded by female engineers, flight directors and astronauts who will share their life experiences, inspiring them to break stereotypes and become replicators of knowledge in the field of space exploration. In addition, they will be challenged to build rockets, robotics, programming, travel simulations, and lunar habitats, to foster their knowledge and provide them with tools on leadership and teamwork.

Elieth Mora, Hilary Corrales, Isabella Rosales, Kiara Rosales, Kteishe Villanueva, María Guevara, Mariana Rodríguez, Meylin Santana, Sofia Bermúdez and Tamara Brenes, the 10 young science and technology lovers, have become a great inspiration for those who dream of breaking down gender stereotypes and materializing their dreams, due to the conditions of vulnerability and poverty in which they find themselves, which has not limited them to pursue their dreams and become agents of change.

Their adventure in space exploration will mark the beginning of a trajectory that will undoubtedly inspire numerous young women to pursue their dreams. “Ella Es Astronauta is an opportunity to acquire much more knowledge and further develop my projects, my goals and my dreams, which I want to develop so I can apply them in my country and thus help generate a positive impact on people, mainly focused on those who struggle with anxiety, depression and addictions,” adds Mariana Sofia Rodriguez, a 16-year-old crew member from Alajuela, Costa Rica.

To bid farewell to the second crew, a press conference was held on November 30 at 10:30 a.m. at the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Hotel – Cariari city, Montezuma room. On this occasion, the crew members shared, along with their families and allies of the program, about their learning and expectations in this new mission that they will embark on at NASA.

About She Is

The Colombian Foundation “She Is”, started operations in 2016, with the mission of empowering girls and women in vulnerable conditions through entrepreneurship and education in science and technology. Over the last 7 years, it has benefited more than 16,900 girls and women through programs such as She Is Astronauta and She Is Esmeralda. It currently operates in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Panama.

About AERIS Costa Rica

AERIS HOLDING COSTA RICA is a company of the CCR Group, which operates under the management model interested in the Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS), taking care of its operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, construction, financing and promotion.

The company seeks to exceed the expectations of its stakeholder management contract in a transversal manner to sustainability, generating social, environmental and economic value. AERIS is committed to providing a “Pura Vida” travel experience for passengers transiting through the main gateway to the country and to generate positive impact to Costa Rica and its stakeholders.

AERIS draws on the experience of its parent companies: HAS Development Corporation and Grupo CCR of Brazil, the latter as the main shareholder and with stakes in the international airports of Quito Ecuador, Curacao and Belo Horizonte in Brazil.

It currently connects Costa Rica with 37 destinations around the world, through 25 international commercial airlines and two domestic airlines that operate in its facilities.

SANSA inaugurates its second international route

• The country’s main air terminal adds its 37th international connection.
• Trips will be twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays.

November, 2023. Passengers at Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS) will be able to enjoy the new connection to Bocas del Toro, Panama, starting this November 16. The route will be operated by the national airline SANSA, and will have two weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays.

“In AERIS, as the interested manager of the Juan Santamaría International Airport, we are pleased to continue guaranteeing new experiences for passengers by expanding the range of destinations, and to see that allied airlines such as SANSA continue to grow. A year ago we celebrated the opening of their first international route to Managua and today they add a second one, to an extremely attractive destination such as Bocas del Toro”, commented Ricardo Hernández, General Director of AERIS.

The inaugural flight took place this Thursday, departing from the Domestic Terminal at eight o’clock in the morning in a Cessna Grand Caravan with 12 passengers. For the time being, SANSA will be the only airline connecting Costa Rica’s main air terminal with Bocas del Toro.

“For more than 40 years, SANSA has led the air transportation market within Costa Rica being an important pillar in the economy of many tourism developments. Therefore, we are proud to expand our horizons and carry the national flag to new international destinations that strengthen new trends in tourism,” said Mario Zamora, general manager of SANSA.

More destinations

With the inauguration of this new route, Costa Rica’s main air terminal connects with more than 37 international destinations, through the operation of 25 airlines.

This new flight is the second destination offered by AIJS to Panama, and the fifth to Central America (two connections to Panama and one each to Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala).

“The incorporation of new routes corresponds to the constant analysis of passengers’ interests. On the one hand, connections with Central America are increasing, which so far this year has consolidated itself as the foreign region to which Costa Ricans travel the most; and on the other hand, we continue to encourage arrivals from Panama, a country from which 34,296 tourists arrived in Costa Rica in the first nine months of the year. All this according to data from the ICT and the General Directorate of Immigration and Foreigners”, said Erick Barboza, director of Business Development.

Those interested in knowing details of the travel policies or purchasing a ticket can visit flysansa.com.

About AERIS Costa Rica

AERIS HOLDING COSTA RICA is a company of the CCR Group, which operates under the stakeholder management model at the Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS), taking care of its operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, construction, financing and promotion.

The company seeks to exceed the expectations of its stakeholder management contract in a transversal manner to sustainability, generating social, environmental and economic value. AERIS is committed to providing a “Pura Vida” travel experience for passengers transiting through the main gateway to the country and to generate positive impact to Costa Rica and its stakeholders.

AERIS draws on the experience of its parent companies: HAS Development Corporation and Grupo CCR of Brazil, the latter as the main shareholder and with stakes in the international airports of Quito Ecuador, Curacao and Belo Horizonte in Brazil.

It currently connects Costa Rica with 37 destinations around the world, through 25 international commercial airlines and two domestic airlines that operate in its facilities.

November, 2023. The Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS), added two new prestigious recognitions for its good practices focused on energy savings and the use of clean energy. They are the Green Airport Recognition, awarded by the Airports Council International (ACI), as well as the Renewable Electricity Seal granted by the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE).

“We are very proud to receive these awards, which reflect the commitment of AERIS, as a concerned manager, and AIJS to minimize the impact of aviation on the environment by reducing the carbon footprint as a result of improved energy performance. In addition, these awards motivate us to continue joining efforts for the development of a sustainable operation, and thus, increase the consumption of energy from renewable sources,” said Ricardo Hernandez, executive director of AERIS.

 

ACI’s Green Airport Recognition aims to promote the best environmental practices implemented by airports in the region and highlights those with notable achievements, as is the case of Costa Rica’s main air terminal.

The initiative gives airports the opportunity to share their main environmental projects for evaluation. This year, AIJS presented the Strategic Action Plan for the operation of an energy efficient airport, which was awarded the Special Recognition during the ICA Annual General Assembly held on Monday, November 6 in Miami, United States.

The project consists of the development of a set of actions focused on the adjustment of the equipment that is responsible for supplying cold water to the air conditioning at AIJS, in order to optimize its operation. In addition, it includes the replacement of lighting fixtures in the basement and operational optimization in the powerhouse. With this plan, savings of 263,375 kWh were achieved during 2022, which is equivalent to the monthly electricity consumption of 1,200 homes in the country.

This is the third time that AIJS has won the Green Airport Recognition. Last year, the Energy Management System, which emerged with the aim of improving energy efficiency, was recognized. While, in 2021, the special recognition was dedicated to the AERIS People in Action for the Environment program, a project aimed at the family members of AERIS employees to include sustainability practices in their daily lives that help people become aware and collectively responsible.

“We believe that energy efficiency is a key development tool, as it not only generates economic savings, but also produces an environmental and social impact. This project contributes to the commitment to the UN Agenda 2030 and to the operation of an airport under a line of sustainability because the project responds to Sustainable Development Goals number 13, Climate Action and number 7, Affordable and Clean Energy,” said Adriana Bejarano, head of Environment, Health and Safety at AERIS.

Meanwhile, the Renewable Electricity Seal, awarded by ICE since 2018, recognizes companies that make it clear that the electricity consumed is generated with renewable sources from the national matrix. According to the certificate delivered at the end of October, AIJS’s clean electricity generation reached 99.3% last year.

“The renewable electricity certificate reflects the effort that the Institution has made for years to provide our customers with continuous, quality electricity based mainly on renewable sources. For ICE it is very important that together with our customers we advance in the electrification of the economy that allows us to continue being an example and leader in these decarbonization processes. We are currently working on new clean energy projects that will allow the country to maintain high percentages of renewables and continue to be a world leader,” said Roberto Quirós, ICE’s Electricity Manager.

About AERIS Costa Rica

AERIS HOLDING COSTA RICA is a company of the CCR Group, which operates under the management model interested in the Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS), being in charge of its operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, construction, financing and promotion.

The company seeks to exceed the expectations of its stakeholder management contract in a cross-cutting manner to sustainability, generating social, environmental and economic value. AERIS is committed to providing a “Pura Vida” travel experience for passengers transiting through the main gateway to the country and to generate positive impact to Costa Rica and its stakeholders.

AERIS draws on the experience of its parent companies: HAS Development Corporation and Grupo CCR of Brazil, the latter as the main shareholder and with stakes in the international airports of Quito Ecuador, Curacao and Belo Horizonte in Brazil.

It currently connects Costa Rica with 36 destinations around the world, through 25 international commercial airlines and two domestic airlines that operate in its facilities.

• The terminal will have the novelty of eight Self Bag Drop equipment and 45 new self-check-in stations.

October, 2023. Self-service technology will be the main novelty at Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS) to meet the influx of passengers and operations for the high season that will run until April 2024.

“An exciting period is ahead for the airport, in which we will find ourselves ready to reconfirm that we are the gateway to PURA VIDA experiences. This preparation responds to the coordination we carried out of a Capacity and High Season Report with stakeholders involved in the passenger-aircraft care processes, such as government entities, air operators, commercial subcontractors, Civil Aviation, to name a few,” said Ricardo Hernandez, executive director of AERIS, interested manager of AIJS.

As a pilot test, eight Self Bag Drop devices will be implemented, which will allow passengers who meet the requirements to drop off their baggage only with the supervision of an airline agent.

Passengers will be required to use the self-check-in kiosks to print their baggage tags and then place them on their bag. These tags contain information such as the passenger’s name, flight number and destination.

Travelers will then have to move to the airline’s Self Bag Drop area, where they will use the equipment to scan the baggage stub, weigh the suitcase, verify that the tags match the flight information and hand it over to the airline agent.

The bags are then automatically moved through a conveyor belt for loading onto the aircraft.

The average bag delivery time, once the baggage check is completed and the baggage tag is placed, will be 1 minute, evidencing that the process is streamlined and time reduced by allowing passengers to tag and check their own bags prior to boarding. Users are advised to check with their respective airline to see if this service will be available at AIJS.

More technology. Likewise, 45 new self-check-in kiosks will be installed, with which the air ticket can be scanned and registered with the respective airline. These will speed up the process in between 30 and 50 seconds.

Passenger information screens are also being replaced for better orientation. The first phase consisted of the replacement of 56 screens inside boarding lounges and the second phase will consist of the replacement of 89 screens at check-in counters, a process scheduled to be completed by December 2023.

“As the main gateway to the country, we seek to offer an optimal level of service to users in conjunction with the entire airport community. We verify the details, carrying out in-depth preventive maintenance to electromechanical equipment (boarding bridges, baggage belts, carousels and stairs), as well as electrical systems for proper operation,” commented Juan Belliard, AERIS Director of Operations.

Actions of the Immigration Police. In order to make the processes more efficient, the human resources of the Immigration Police will focus on the management of the queues and good operation of the process prior to the service.

“To meet this objective, the Professional Immigration Police has a human resource of 146 officers, which was strengthened with more officers, distributed in working groups, which are mobilized according to the number of passengers flowing through the different areas. It is important to mention that the dynamics of the Juan Santamaría International Airport is very different from other checkpoints and is adjusted to the distribution of flights previously coordinated by the Airport Manager (AERIS) and the General Directorate of Civil Aviation”, explained Marta Vindas, general director of Immigration and Foreigners.

Recommendations. Despite the application of technology to facilitate passenger processes, AERIS makes the following recommendations for people who will travel during this high season:

• Arrive three or four hours earlier: Take into consideration the different road works that are being carried out in strategic points of Alajuela, which may generate congestion.
• Make the process of web or mobile check-in: According to the offer of each airline, in order to minimize check-in time at the airport.
• Read beforehand the contents of the airline’s website: Especially on issues such as prohibited items, liquids and gels, immigration requirements, travel with minors or pets, among others.

About AERIS Costa Rica

AERIS HOLDING COSTA RICA is a company of the CCR Group, which operates under the management model interested in the Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS), being in charge of its operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, construction, financing and promotion.

The company seeks to exceed the expectations of its stakeholder management contract in a transversal manner to sustainability, generating social, environmental and economic value. AERIS is committed to providing a “Pura Vida” travel experience for passengers transiting through the main gateway to the country and to generate positive impact to Costa Rica and its stakeholders.

AERIS draws on the experience of its parent companies: HAS Development Corporation and Grupo CCR of Brazil, the latter as the main shareholder and with stakes in the international airports of Quito Ecuador, Curacao and Belo Horizonte in Brazil.

It currently connects Costa Rica with 36 destinations around the world, through 25 international commercial airlines and two domestic airlines that operate in its facilities.

AERIS obtains recognition for promoting and encouraging hygiene measures at Juan Santamaría Airport. 

• Interested manager renewed the certification granted by Bandera Azul Ecológica and the Sello de Calidad Sanitaria Program in the category of Hygiene Promotion.
• It is the only company related to the airport and aeronautical industry to have obtained the award recently.

October, 2023. AERIS, administrator of the Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS), obtained for the third time the blue award promoted by the Ecological Blue Flag Programs together with the Sanitary Quality Seal Program, in the category of Hygiene Promotion, with a score of 92.5 points for its actions carried out during 2022. As part of the recognition, it also achieved a white star and a silver star.

The manager concerned was recognized for promoting and fostering a culture of hygiene and cleanliness at the air terminal through education, access to drinking water and sanitation services managed in a safe manner, with the purpose of minimizing the spread of infectious diseases, as well as enteric (affecting intestines and stomach) and respiratory diseases in the population.

“For AERIS the renewal of this certification evidences the commitment to guarantee a PURA VIDA experience to passengers transiting through the country’s most important air terminal. We are very proud, as hygiene is an essential component to achieve a responsible and sustainable airport operation,” said Ricardo Hernandez, executive director of AERIS.

So far, seven companies in the country have won this award so far this year, with AERIS being the only company related to the airport and aeronautical industry to have won it recently.

To be awarded, registered companies must annually demonstrate mandatory compliance with the following parameters:

• Proper management of water for human consumption
• Adequate treatment and disposal of wastewater
• Application of the hygiene protocol, disinfection of facilities and hand washing.
• Integral solid waste management

As for the complementary guidelines, which include star recognition, the program states that a white star is obtained if the company achieves a score of 90 to 99 in the evaluation of the final report. As for the silver star, it is earned if a certification of affiliation to the Ecoins platform (a system that facilitates waste recycling and grants benefits in exchange) is presented or if the certification of the collection center authorized by said platform is attached.

“At Juan Santamaría Airport we maintain high standards for the care of people’s health, so our efforts are focused on ensuring a clean, orderly and safe space for travelers. Hygiene, adequate access to clean water and sanitation are vital to prevent and contain diseases,” said Adriana Bejarano, head of Environment, Health and Safety at AERIS.

AERIS won this award for the first time in 2020, the second time in 2021 and after not participating in 2022, AERIS will receive it for the third time in 2023.

The Hygiene Promotion category was created thanks to an alliance between the Ecological Blue Flag Program and the Sanitary Quality Seal Program of the National Water Laboratory of the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewerage (AyA).

About AERIS Costa Rica

AERIS HOLDING COSTA RICA is a company of the CCR Group, which operates under the management model interested in the Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS), being in charge of its operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, construction, financing and promotion.

The company seeks to exceed the expectations of its stakeholder management contract in a transversal manner to sustainability, generating social, environmental and economic value. AERIS is committed to providing a “Pura Vida” travel experience for passengers transiting through the main gateway to the country and to generate positive impact to Costa Rica and its stakeholders.

AERIS draws on the experience of its parent companies: HAS Development Corporation and Grupo CCR of Brazil, the latter as the main shareholder and with stakes in the international airports of Quito Ecuador, Curacao and Belo Horizonte in Brazil.

It currently connects Costa Rica with 36 destinations around the world, through 25 international commercial airlines and two domestic airlines that operate in its facilities.

INTECO audit shows AERIS’ commitment to energy efficiency

Juan Santamaría Airport achieves improved energy savings with the replacement of 1,200 lights with LED technology. 

• The lights were replaced in the boarding lounges, restrooms, corridors, immigration areas of the arrivals area and baggage claim of the country’s main air terminal.
• In the first half of the year, the reduction in electricity consumption reached 347,120 kWh, equivalent to the monthly electricity consumption of some 1,611 homes.

September, 2023. In its commitment to promote a sustainable airport operation, AERIS, interested manager of the Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS), achieved a new advance in energy savings during the first half of 2023 due to the change of 1,200 lights to LED technology.

The replacement of lighting fixtures, carried out between August last year and January 2023, in the boarding lounges, restrooms, corridors, Migration areas of the arrivals area and baggage claim has ensured greater savings, as well as a lower environmental impact by reducing the carbon footprint.

This is what the report of the recent audit of the Technical Standards Institute of Costa Rica (INTECO) states, which indicates that the system of the country’s main air terminal shows a “clear trend of improvement” by reporting an accumulated 347,120 kilowatt hours (kWh), an amount of reduction equivalent to the monthly electricity consumption of about 1,611 homes in Costa Rica, according to AERIS calculations based on the National Energy Balance 2020.

“From AERIS we welcome the result of this audit conducted by INTECO, which allows us to successfully maintain the certification of our Energy Management System based on the INTE/ISO 50001:2018 standard. The sustainability of airport operations is the goal we have set for ourselves, and energy efficiency is a fundamental pillar of this strategy,” said Ricardo Hernández, executive director of AERIS. 

Another action that contributed to energy savings was to make an adjustment in the equipment that is responsible for supplying chilled water to the air conditioning at AIJS, in order to optimize its operation.

The audit report also highlights the high level of involvement of all AERIS management levels with respect to the Energy Management System and the improvement of energy performance.

“For this year we will also implement the installation of variable frequency drives (VFD) in the fans of the handlers, which are the ducts where the air conditioning is distributed. In 2024 we will continue with the change of lighting in the main ramp, the use of VFD in electromechanical stairs and the project to automatically turn off LED lights in the lobby, in order to continue generating energy savings,” said Adriana Bejarano, head of Environment, Health and Safety at AERIS.

The variable frequency drives save energy by adjusting the speed of the electric motors to adapt to the demand of the application and improve the efficiency of the system.

Key certification

With INTE/ISO 50001, AERIS is continuing to improve its energy performance. The goal is to accumulate savings of 4.6% between January 2003 and December 2024 compared to the results obtained in 2022. This improvement consists of reducing the electricity consumption of the AIJS main meter by approximately 1,180,000 kWh during the defined period.

“The implementation of an energy management system generates energy efficiency with which decreases greenhouse gas emissions, in addition, the company by consuming fewer resources contributes to reduce the carbon footprint. This commitment to the environment is always noteworthy. We congratulate AERIS for fostering internal communication and awareness, promoting a culture of efficient energy use,” said Manuel Gonzalez, technical coordinator at INTECO.

The AIJS is the first airport of the CCR Group to obtain the INTE/ISO 50001 Energy Management certification by INTECO, and is also one of the pioneer airports in the Latin American and Caribbean region to obtain the recognition, thus contributing to the country’s competitiveness.

This certification represents one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gases, promote the care of natural resources and boost the economy’s productivity.

INTECO performs the conformity assessment of the Energy Management System once a year since 2021, when AERIS obtained the certification for the first time. The certification renewal will take place in 2024.

About AERIS Costa Rica

AERIS HOLDING COSTA RICA is a company of the CCR Group, which operates under the management model interested in the Juan Santamaría International Airport (AIJS), being in charge of its operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, construction, financing and promotion.

The company seeks to exceed the expectations of its stakeholder management contract in a transversal manner to sustainability, generating social, environmental and economic value. AERIS is committed to providing a “Pura Vida” travel experience for passengers transiting through the main gateway to the country and to generate positive impact to Costa Rica and its stakeholders.

AERIS draws on the experience of its parent companies: HAS Development Corporation and Grupo CCR of Brazil, the latter as the main shareholder and with stakes in the international airports of Quito Ecuador, Curacao and Belo Horizonte in Brazil.

It currently connects Costa Rica with 36 destinations around the world, through 25 international commercial airlines and two domestic airlines that operate in its facilities.