Orotina Metropolitan International Tender

Start of Construction 2018Completion Phase One 2027Project Location Orotina Costa RicaScope of WorkConstruction of Orotina Metropolitan International Airport.DescriptionA new metropolitan international airport in the city of Orotina Costa Rica is planned to be built to replace the existing Juan Santamara International SJO Airport. Inaugurated in 1955 the existing airport is capable of handling 3.2 million passengers but lacks the required infrastructure to serve growing passenger needs. The Government of Costa Rica expects construction on the new airport to commence in 2018.The proposed airport which is expected to achieve full operational capability by 2047 will be built and operated through a public-private partnership. It will be able to serve the increasing number of business travellers and tourists flying to and or from Costa Rica.Situated near the central and south Pacific areas the new airport is anticipated to improve the countrys tourism industry and economy. It will also help improve infrastructure and land development in Costa Rica by increasing international access to the country.Location of Costa Ricas new airportThe proposed greenfield airport will be located in Orotina canton in the province of Alajuela approximately 56km west of San Jose near the Pacific coast. It will be built in an area of 1500ha covering the communities of El Mastate Coyolar and La Ceiba. Situated 250m above the sea level the project site will have low impact of wind which will enable safe flights even in difficult weather conditions. The effect of fog and ashes on the new Orotina airport will be less than at the SJO Airport.Timeline and financing of the new airportCosta Ricas Orotina International Airport is part of the countrys plan to modernise and enhance air transport. The project is being managed by the Direccin General de Aviacin Civil DGAC of Costa Rica.DGAC issued a tender in October 2015 to conduct a study and determine possible locations for the new airport. The Government of the Republic of Costa Rica received a master plan and conceptual design of Orotina International Airport in May 2017. The first phase is expected to cost 1.9bn whereas the total cost of the project is estimated to be 3.5bn which will be financed through non-governmental funds. The Central American Corporation for Air Navigation Services COCESNA provided funding for the airports master plan. The project is expected to create approximately 80000 direct and indirect jobs.Orotina Metropolitan International Airport developmentThe Orotina Metropolitan International Airport will be developed in three phases which will involve the construction of a 460000m terminal and other facilities. The first phase will include the construction a 128000m of passenger terminal two runways capable of handling large aircraft.