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Modern airport inaugurated in Drake

  • The works will include a new air terminal, widening and improvements to the runway, construction of a parking platform for three aircraft, as well as improvements to the security band and perimeter fencing.
  • The investment will be over ₡3.4 billion and will benefit operators, tourists and passengers.
  • President Alvarado indicated his satisfaction at having completed a project that is returning hope to the populace. “As part of the economic revitalization measures, we are also working to improve the airports of Palmar Sur, Golfito and Pérez Zeledon”, the President said.

The Drake District, at the southern end of the Osa Peninsula, will receive a boost to its tourism and economic revitalization thanks to the modern works carried out in the regional airport, which amount to an investment of ₡3.4 billion from the resources of the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation.

The new infrastructure, which includes the construction of the terminal, runway, security band and perimeter fencing, was inaugurated this Wednesday by President Carlos Alvarado Quesada.

This activity kicked off an intensive tour of the far south of the country for the President, which will see him travel over four days to the cantons of Osa, Corredores, Golfito, Coto Brus and Buenos Aires, accompanied by the leaders of some twenty institutions.

During the event, General Director of Civil Aviation Guillermo Hoppe explained that the new and modern air terminal consisted of a 260 m2 area that would host 162 people.

“Having this infrastructure is incredibly important to facilitate the entry of more operators to the region and increase the arrivals of tourists and passengers, which will translate into substantial improvements for the local and national economy”, Hoppe specified.

The work also included an expansion of the paved area of the runway (from 10 to 18 meters wide and 770 m to 1,004 m long), as well as the construction of a parking platform for three type B aircraft and improvements to the security border and perimeter fence.

President Alvarado indicated his satisfaction at having completed a project that is returning hope to the populace. “We are focused on the economic revitalization of the Southern Region, which is why we will continue improving the airports of Palmar Sur, Golfito and Pérez Zeledón”, he stated.

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism Maria Amalia Revelo commented that “the investments in infrastructure have been fundamentally important for tourism development, which is why we at ICT laud the modernization of this air facility, the substantial improvement in compliance with air travel safety and the comfort that it offers tourists”.

The Minister went on to add that “for many years, the landing strip was unpaved, and there were no facilities for processing passengers or waiting rooms. We are witnessing a project that, without a doubt, will bring positive developments with it for tourism in Drake and the neighboring towns, an airport that represents relief for tourists given that the trip here by land and sea lasts some six hours”.

Advancing airport modernization in the Southern Region

The General Director of Civil Aviation, Guillermo Hoppe, explained that, much like in Drake, they are continuing to improve the remaining airports of the southern region with efficient, transparent, responsible and appropriate management, making an effective use of resources. These are the details of the improvements:

Palmar Sur: Reconstruction of the runway structure, remodeling and widening of the terminal, vehicle parking, improvement in the security border, horizontal limits and runway lighting. This airport is currently in the final steps of implementation. Investment: Over ₡1.45 billion.

Golfito. Remodeling and widening the existing air terminal to offer heightened comfort for tourists, passengers and air operators. Investment: ₡400 million.

In the second phase, ₡700 million will be invested to improve the runway.

Pérez Zeledón. A new module will be built for the air terminal, and the aircraft parking area will be expanded for greater ease of use. Investment: ₡225 million.