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New flight to Liberia, Guanacaste via Rockford, Illinois

 

  • Apple Vacations will operate a charter flight over 13 weeks.
  •  The flights will leave once per week and will generate 2,340 seats.

This Wednesday, June 20, the Costa Rican Tourism Board reached a deal with the airline Apple Vacations, approving the start of operations for the Rockford, Illinois to Liberia route. This new flight will arrive at Daniel Oduber Airport once per week with a B737-800, transporting 2,340 seats during the agreed period, which will begin on January 4, 2019 to April 5th of that year.

This will be the third flight from North America to the province of Guanacaste announced during the current administration, which will bring benefits to the region's tourism sector.

“As part of the strategy of attracting airlines, I am pleased to announce that we have been able to conclude a deal with Apple Vacations, which will operate a charter flight beginning next year. I am very happy that we have once again activated the attraction of airlines for the province of Guanacaste, which will allow us to generate more visits from our primary tourism market”, said Maria Amalia Revelo, Minister of Tourism.

The North American market is extremely important for Costa Rica because of its closeness and affinity. ICT maintains constant negotiations with the main airlines from the region, with the aim of significantly increasing the development of the country's two international airports.

“Rockford is the third largest city in the state of Illinois. With this flight, we'll be able to connect directly with over 14 cities in the United States. We are continuing to open new pathways for the country that visits us more than any other – this won't only help tourism in Guanacaste, it will open new doors to more destinations” enthused César Jaramillo, General Manager of CORIPORT, the Liberia airport authority.

Hermes Navarro, Director of Investment Attraction at ICT, noted that the addition of these operations was due to the demand created in these markets, which have shown a great interest in enjoying their holidays to the fullest by spending them in our country. This situation has been a boost to tourism operations in the province.

“Certain markets of importance for Costa Rica tend to be considered seasonal, since people are limited in their ability to travel mainly because of work issues. In this situation, charter operations have been extremely effective, since they complement regular flight services into the country, enabling connections and sales that are very attractive for this group of travelers”, Navarro added.

The itinerary of the flights will be as follows:

Rockford, Illinois - Liberia (LIR)

  • Leaves on Friday: 8:00 a.m.
  • Arrives on Friday: 12:40 p.m.

Liberia (LIR) - Rockford, Illinois

  • Leaves: 1:40 p.m.
  • Arrives: 6:35 p.m.

* The times listed are the local times in each country and are subject to change without warning.

The arrival of this new route to Daniel Oduber International Airport will give tourists the opportunity to enter through Guanacaste to some of the preferred destinations for North American markets.

oo00oo

About Apple Vacations

In 1969, John Mullen and his brother-in-law, Al Atkinson, founded a small travel company called Atkinson & Mullen. Years later, Mullen renamed the company Apple Vacations when he became the sole proprietor and entered into one of the largest travel package operators in the United States.