Liberia Airport: Air Traffic Controllers Missing in Action

The Guanacaste International Airport (Daniel Oduber Quirós), located in Liberia, Guanacaste Province, is facing an unusual period of turbulence. On Tuesday, December 17, the airport was forced to shut down at 6 p.m. due to a lack of available air traffic controllers to manage operations. This unexpected closure resulted in flight cancellations, affecting passengers and highlighting the critical importance of air traffic controllers’ roles.

According to César Jaramillo, the airport’s general director, these repeated disruptions severely damage the airport’s reputation and Costa Rica’s image on the international stage. “This unfortunate event, which is not the first of its kind, directly impacts the credibility of our destination, both for airlines and travelers,” he stated. Jaramillo urged government authorities to act swiftly to address the situation and prevent further disruptions.

I came to discover the wonders of Costa Rica, and now we’re being told, at the last minute, that our return flight is canceled due to a lack of air traffic controllers. Honestly, it’s unacceptable! It feels like we’re in a poorly organized scenario. Such mismanagement discredits not only the airport but also the image of a country that thrives on tourism

– Hugo Mayer, Brussels, Belgium

Air traffic controllers, often invisible to travelers, play a fundamental role in ensuring the safe and efficient management of flights. At Guanacaste Airport, which welcomes thousands of international tourists annually drawn by its beaches and exotic landscapes, their absence creates a domino effect on the entire tourism ecosystem.

These interruptions, described as “chaotic” by organizations such as the National Tourism Chamber (Canatur) and the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels (CCH), have exposed a lack of planning and redundancy in airport infrastructure management.

Despite these difficulties, runway resurfacing work, which has been on hold since October, is expected to resume at night to avoid impacting flights. The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation has promised that the project will be completed within the next three months, improving the airport’s reliability.

However, as Jaramillo emphasized, the fragility of essential services such as air traffic control remains a significant concern. “Airports must manage their resources with effective redundancy, going beyond the bare minimum required,” he noted. His comments resonate as a call to better appreciate the work of these « guardians of the skies, » whose expertise is crucial to an airport’s smooth operation.

I came with my family for a sunny vacation, and now we’re stuck here with no idea when we can return. We have obligations, jobs, and everything is disrupted by an issue that should have been anticipated. How can an airport this important lack staff? It’s a shocking lack of professionalism.

– Martine Dupont-Johnson, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Guanacaste Airport is more than just an infrastructure—it is a strategic gateway for a Costa Rica experiencing rapid tourism growth. Ensuring proactive management of human resources and infrastructure is therefore imperative to strengthen airline confidence and provide travelers with a seamless and secure experience.