Increased interest of airlines to return to Costa Rica

The opening of the Costa Rican air border to all the countries of the world starting this Sunday - three weeks before the start of the high season - is accompanied by a vertiginous interest of the airlines for the destination.
 
The answer translates into a projection of 299,822 thousand seats available to travel to Costa Rica for the month of December (high season), while in October (low season) there were just over 37,379 thousand seats available.

"The reaction of the airlines is a clear sign of the confidence they have in Costa Rica as a destination, as well as in the quality of the tourism product that we offer to travelers," said Gustavo J. Segura, Rector Minister of Tourism. “It is also the result of the hard work that the ICT has done to promote the country and convince these airlines to return; we are on the right track to recover a key industry for social progress and the national economy, "added the chief.

The projection of seats is based on data obtained by the ICT from the Schedules Analyzer OAG platform, which is updated weekly in the Global Distribution Systems (GDS). The GDS is a computer network and primary booking tool for travel agents, transferring seat inventory and flight fares to them, and allowing them to shop and compare travel reservation options.

The availability of air seats means that end consumers (travelers) will be able to search and book directly online. Likewise, traditional travel agencies, as well as OTA calls (online travel agencies) and airlines, can offer flights to Costa Rica.

The beginning of the high season for tourism in Costa Rica is marked by the celebration of Thanksgiving in the United States of America on November 26. The opening to all the countries of the world this Sunday, in addition to the visa requirements as appropriate, is accompanied by two additional requirements incorporated in the context of the pandemic: complete the HEALTH PASS available at https://salud.go.cr and have national or international medical insurance that covers a possible case of quarantine and / or medical attention for an acute illness such as Covid-19.

Growing interest from airlines
The opening of the air border in August began with flights from Iberia (August 3) and Lufthansa (August 5). Since September, when the opening to the United States of America began, United Airlines (September 3) and American Airlines (September 9) joined. Copa and Spirit restarted operations on September 10 and Aeroméxico on October 17.

Air France resumed operations on October 31 from Paris, France. This November 1 Avianca, Jetblue and Air Canada return, while Delta Airlines will return to the country this Monday, November 2.

For its part, Alaska Airlines will return on November 20 and Volaris, the national flag carrier, will restart flights on November 23 with connections to Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Los Angeles, Washington, New York, Mexico City and Cancun. 
 
Meanwhile, KLM will return from Europe on November 26 and British Airways five days later. Sun Country and West Jet also return on December 5.
 
The two airlines showing the highest absolute and relative growth in the number of weekly flights as of November 2020 are United Airlines and American Airlines. The first going from 11 weekly flights on average to 36 weekly flights and the second from 12 weekly flights on average to 34.

Expectations in Juan Santamaría and Daniel Oduber
Rafael Mencía, executive director of AERIS, administrator of the Juan Santamaría International Airport, the main port of entry to the country, explained: “As of November, we trust that the recovery of the sector will take place more accelerated so that with that, progress and employment reach different corners of the country. "
 
“At AERIS we have prepared ourselves to receive more passengers again; Only for November we hope to reconnect the Juan Santamaría International Airport with the European cities of Paris, Madrid, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. Also in North America with Toronto, Montreal, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Newark, Mexico and Cancun. As well as other destinations in Latin America such as Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama and Bogotá. Our service is available to the country and we will ensure compliance with the standards and a safe travel experience, as soon as the tourist transits through the air terminal ”, added Mencía.
 
César Jaramillo, general manager of Coriport, the managing company of the Daniel Oduber International Airport, explained that “as of November, with the start of the high season, the Guanacaste Airport expects the arrival of around 10 airlines, which represents between a 35% and 45% compared to the same period of the previous year. These airlines are: American, United, Air Canada, Alaska, Jet Blue, Delta, Sun Country, Air Transat, Sunwing and West Jet, which will connect Guanacaste with 15 destinations in the United States and Canada ”.

Promotion takes effect
To inform the industry and end customers that the destination has gradually opened the air border, the ICT has activated public relations, digital advertising and communication actions, making it known that the country is prepared with the implementation of sanitary protocols in the different areas : lodging establishments, national parks, beaches, tourist activities, restaurants, rent-a-car, tour operators, tourist transport, among others.
 
In parallel, the ICT has reactivated cooperative campaigns, which are joint communication plans between the Institution and strategic partners such as airlines or international wholesalers.
 
Likewise, it reinforced direct consumer strategies through digital channels and innovative actions with the aim of generating emotional ties with the destination as well as promoting vacation purchases, work that is done by appealing to messages that invite immersion in the destination , to the connection with nature, with people, to live a different rhythm and enjoy unique and unforgettable experiences.
 
With the main tour operators in the markets of interest, the ICT activated campaigns to promote the sale of the destination and has reactivated familiarization trips for travel agents and the press from the main markets of interest. Thus, 20 international media and more than 160 people from travel and wholesalers will be visiting the country in the remainder of the year.
 
ICT supports Health and Migration by verifying requirements
 
Since August 3, the date of the arrival of the first international flight with tourists after more than four months of closure due to the pandemic, 12 representatives of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) work voluntarily virtually or In person at the Juan Santamaría International Airport, verifying compliance with the requirements of tourists in a coordinated manner with the Ministry of Health and the Directorate of Migration and Foreigners.
 
For this, day, mixed and night shifts have been created to receive flights during the day, night or early morning.
 
“Five more colleagues have been inducted to join this November and promptly attend to passengers; We seek strict compliance with the requirements as well as expedite the entry of tourists to the country, especially with the air opening to all countries of the world, ”said Víctor Ramírez, head of ICT Tourist Service.
 
Ramírez added: “Now we will have two counters, and two computers, alcohol gel and a series of improvements for the expected increase in flights. We are prepared and we believe we can get the task done without problem”.