Liberia Airport Expansion Delayed - Situation Severe for High Season
In the no surprises here category, bureaucracy has been blamed for the delay in necessary work on the Liberia International Airport. Civil Aviation authorities delayed the submission of an environmental impact permit, so the time period alloted expired and they had to begin the process anew.
The work was to begin in mid September and the contract was won by Pedregal, but a crucial document was not signed by the Minister of Public Works, Randall Quiros due to the fact that he was travelling in Spain. The actual permit and bidding process was begun in December of last year by authorities at the airport.
The work consists of adding an additional jetway near the terminal in order to increase the airport’s capacity from 7 jets and 12 smaller planes to 10 large planes and 17 small planes.
Businesses in Guanacaste are also asking for more personnel at the airport in order to reduce waits during high season. Currently there are 70 security officers, 16 immigration officers, and 9 customs agents. The private sector has asked Rogelio Ramos, the Minister of Public Security for 15 more security officers, 15 more immigration officers and 4 more customs officers. Ramos stated that “since last month we are preparing a report about the personnel needs in the airport in order to avoid a high season collapse.”