Palmar Sur Airport Update

In August 28, 2018, we visited Palmar Sur regional airport to get an update on the construction project there. The following is our Palmar Sur Airport Update.

In early August 2018, we had a client who had a scheduled flight from San Jose to Palmar Sur, via Sansa airlines. They were planning on a weeklong vacation at Casa Lapas. Approximately 24 hours prior to the clients’ departure, they were notified that the Palmar Sur airport was close and no other information was available. After scrambling to get the clients rescheduled to Perez Zeledon’s regional airport, we decided to investigate what was going on.

Below are a couple of videos that provide how the Palmar Sur Airport Update will improve traveling to the southern pacific zone of Costa Rica in the not-to-distant future.

Here is a list of the changes taking place at Palmar Sur airport. All of these changes are scheduled to be completed in four months – with a goal of being completed by January 2019.

• Existing terminal is going to be increased in size from 750 square feet to over 5,000 square feet. It is still unclear whether or not the existing terminal structure will be kept or if it will be torn down.
• Rental car kiosks and other kiosks will be built
• The width of the runway is being widened

One of the goals of the increased width of the runway is to allow more models of aircrafts to be able to make emergency landings if necessary. Palmar Sur is relatively safe compared to other airports in the area due to the flat topography and ease of landing for planes coming in from the west/Pacific Ocean side.

Sansa airplane at Palmar Sur airport (when the airport was operating). The Palmar Sur airport is scheduled to reopen in early 2019.