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The World's Airlines Past, Present & Future |
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Costa Rica is a republic in southern Central America, bordered on the north by Nicaragua, on the east by the Caribbean Sea, on the southeast by Panama, and on the southwest and west by the Pacific Ocean. The uninhabited and densely wooded tropical Cocos Island, about 480 km (about 300 mi) to the southwest in the Pacific Ocean, is under Costa Rican sovereignty. The total area of Costa Rica is 51,060 sq km (19,714 sq mi). The country's capital is San José. |
| Latest updates |
>renamed to - >>merged in or absorbed - +> assets taken over - =>> merger resulted in new airline dates are searchable using ddmmyyyy |
| February 15, 2017 | Air Costa Rica commenced operations with its maiden commercial flight on 10Feb2017 [status change] |
| December 27, 2016 | VivaCam was founded in 2015 as a LCC with the name being a contraction of Viva Centroamerica. It was rebranded as VivaLatinoamérica [added] prior to starting |
| December 5, 2016 | Volaris de Costa Rica commenced revenue operations on 30Nov2016 [status change] |
| Airline | Operating Dates |
|---|---|
| [Renamed] ACASA (Aerovias Cariari) |
1968* - 1976 |
|
^ Comments :
ACASA (Aerovias Cariari) was founded in 1968 ^ Genealogy : ACASA (Aerovias Cariari) >>AVE Airlines |
|
| [Inactive] ACS (Air Cargo Services) |
1997* - 2000 |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
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| [Inactive] Aero Costa Rica |
1992 - 1997 |
|
^ Comments :
Aero Costa Rica started service on 11May1992 with two Boeing 727-200 Ex-Pan Am from San José to Miami. Ceased operations on 30Sep1997. Regional, domestic scheduled and charter passenger services ^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Unsure] Aero Costa Sol |
1999* - 2006* |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Active] Aerobell Air Charter |
1988* - date |
|
^ Comments :
Aerobell Air Charter was founded in 1988. Local and international private charter services ^ Genealogy : |
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| [Inactive] Aerolineas Exaco (Expres Aereo Costaricense) |
1978* - 1978 |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
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| [Inactive] Aeropostal Alas de Centroamerica |
2005 - 2006 |
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^ Comments :
Aeropostal Alas de Centroamerica was established in 2003 in San José by Aeropostal Alas de Venezuela as Aeropostal Alas de Centroamerica. It started operations in 2005 ^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Unconfirmed] Aerovias Sur |
(****) |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Active] Air Costa Rica updated |
2017 - date |
|
^ Comments :
Air Costa Rica was rebranded from Tica Air International (2014-2014). It commenced operations with its maiden commercial flight on 10Feb2017 ^ Genealogy : Tica Air International >Air Costa Rica |
|
| [Inactive] ANSA (Aerolineas Nacionales SA) |
1958 - 1960 |
|
^ Comments :
ANSA (Aerolineas Nacionales SA) was founded 1958. San Jose based carrier that ceased operating in 1960. ^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Inactive] APSA (Aeroservicios Puntarenas SA) |
1971 - 1979 |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Unsure] ASCA (Aerovias San Carlos) |
1978* - 1979* |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
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| [Unsure] ATSA (Aviones Taxi Aereo S.A ) (Air Charter Service) |
1970* - 2010* |
|
^ Comments :
ATSA (Aviones Taxi Aereo S.A ) (Air Charter Service) was founded in 1970. Private charter flights to both domestic and international destinations ^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Unsure] AVE Airlines (Aerovias del Valle) |
1951 - 1979* |
|
^ Comments :
Aerovias del Valle commenced operations in Dec1951 and operated scheduled
passenger/cargo services from San Jose ^ Genealogy : ACASA (Aerovias Cariari) >>AVE Airlines |
|
| [Active] Avianca Costa Rica |
2013 - date |
|
^ Comments :
Avianca Costa Rica was formed by the TACA Group by acquiring ENTA & Nationales de Costa Rica, merging and renaming them to LACSA. Renamed to TACA & Avianca Costa Rica in May2013 ^ Genealogy : ENTA + Nationales de Costa Rica =>Nationales de Costa Rica >LACSA >TACA Costa Rica >Avianca Costa Rica |
|
| [Unsure] Aviones Taxi Aereo |
2004* - 2009* |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Inactive] Carga Expresa |
1983 - 1983 |
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^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Inactive] Costa Rica Skies |
2006 - 2008 |
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^ Comments :
Costa Rica Skies was a charter airline serving destinations throughout the Americas based in San José, Costa Rica. It was founded in 2002, though flight services only started in 2006. In 2008, the airline was shut down again due to financial problems ^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Unconfirmed] CRAFT (Cargo Rica Air Freight Transport) |
(****) |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Renamed] ENTA (Empressa Nacional de Transportes and Aerovias |
1939* - 1939 |
|
^ Comments :
Avianca Costa Rica was formed by the TACA Group by acquiring ENTA & Nationales de Costa Rica, merging and renaming them to LACSA. Renamed to TACA & Avianca Costa Rica in May2013 [TACA de Costa Rica was formed by the TACA Group by acquiring ENTA and and Nationales de COSTA RICA, merging and renaming them] [TACA COSTA RICA was originally formed by Pan American, the Costa Rican Government and private interests in 1945. Acquired TACA DE COSTA RICA in 1952. Transferred it's domestic network to SANSA in 1959. Renamed to LACSA in 1946 and to current name in 2004 after purchase by the TACA Group] ^ Genealogy : ENTA + Nationales de Costa Rica =>LACSA >TACA Costa Rica >Avianca Costa Rica |
|
| [Renamed] Expreso Aereo Costarricenses SA |
1951* - 1966 |
|
^ Comments :
LADECA known as Expreso Aereo Costarricenses SA until 1966, is a Costa Rican operator formed in Apr1951 to undertake air taxi and charter work and crop spraying from San Jose, as well as domestic cargo charters ^ Genealogy : Expreso Aereo Costarricenses SA >LADECA |
|
| [Unconfirmed] General Air Cargo |
(****) |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Not started] Holiday Air (Costa Rica) |
(2016) |
|
^ Comments :
Holiday Air (Costa Rica) is planning to start in 2016 ^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Inactive] JHM Cargo Express (Airlines) |
1996 - 2000 |
|
^ Comments :
JHM Cargo Express (Airlines) was founded in 1997 as a A300F operator that does all-cargo services to North and South America ^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Renamed] LACSA (Lineas Aereas de Costarricenses) |
1946 - 2004 |
|
^ Comments :
LACSA was established on 17Oct1945 by Pan American World Airways, the Costa Rican government and Costa Rican private interests. It started operations on 01Jun1946 [TACA de Costa Rica was formed by the TACA Group by acquiring ENTA and and Nationales de COSTA RICA, merging and renaming them] [TACA COSTA RICA was originally formed by Pan American, the Costa Rican Government and private interests in 1945. Acquired TACA DE COSTA RICA in 1952. Transferred it's domestic network to SANSA in 1959. Renamed to LACSA in 1946 and to current name in 2004 after purchase by the TACA Group] ^ Genealogy : ENTA + Nationales de Costa Rica =>LACSA >TACA Costa Rica >Avianca Costa Rica |
|
| [Inactive] LADECA (Lineas Aereas del Caribe)(Caribbean Airways) |
1966 - 1967 |
|
^ Comments :
LADECA known as Expreso Aereo Costarricenses SA until 1966, is a Costa Rican operator formed in Apr1951 to undertake air taxi and charter work and crop spraying from San Jose, as well as domestic cargo charters ^ Genealogy : Expreso Aereo Costarricenses SA >LADECA |
|
| [Renamed] Lineas Areas Trans Costa Rica |
1979 - 1988 |
|
^ Comments :
Lineas Areas Trans Costa Rica was renamed to Trans Costa Rica in 1988 ^ Genealogy : Lineas Areas Trans Costa Rica >Trans Costa Rica |
|
| [Renamed] Nationales de Costa Rica |
1939 - 1939 |
|
^ Comments :
Avianca Costa Rica was formed by the TACA Group by acquiring ENTA & Nationales de Costa Rica, merging and renaming them to LACSA. Renamed to TACA & Avianca Costa Rica in May2013 ^ Genealogy : ENTA + Nationales de Costa Rica =>LACSA >TACA Costa Rica >Avianca Costa Rica |
|
| [Active] NatureAir (Nature Air) |
2003 - date |
|
^ Comments :
Natureair was formed in 1990 & operations started on 30Jun1991 as TravelAir. Noted as the world's first carbon neutral airline ^ Genealogy : TravelAir >Natureair |
|
| [Inactive] Paradise Air |
2000* - 2013 |
|
^ Comments :
Paradise Air was an air charter operator flying to Panama, Nicaragua and throughout Central America and the Caribbean. The airline was based at the Tobías Bolaños International Airport, San José, Costa Rica and was the only FAA Part 129 approved charter operator in the region. The company, started in 2000, was owned and operated by a former corporate pilot, Art Dawley, who flew business jets for DreamWorks Movie Studios for many years. The charter company specialized in flying from San Jose to the various tourist based destinations throughout the region. Paradise Air ceased air charter operations in Costa Rica on 16May2013 ^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Renamed] RANSA (Ruta Aerea Nacional SA) |
1979 - 1980 |
|
^ Comments :
SANSA was formed in 1980 & took over RANSA in 1980 ^ Genealogy : RANSA >>Sansa |
|
| [Inactive] SAISA |
1996* - 1997* |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Active] SANSA (Servicos Aereos Nacionales) |
1980 - date |
|
^ Comments :
SANSA was established in 1978 as a domestic airline of LACSA & operations started operations on 30Jun1980. Took over RANSA in 1980 ^ Genealogy : RANSA >>Sansa |
|
| [Inactive] SERCA Costa Rica (Servicios de Carga SA) |
1982 - 1982 |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Unsure] Servicios Aereos Nacionales |
1990* - 1990* |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Renamed] TACA Costa Rica (LACSA (Lineas Aereas de Costarricenses)) |
2004 - 2013 |
|
^ Comments :
Avianca Costa Rica was formed by the TACA Group by acquiring ENTA & Nationales de Costa Rica, merging and renaming them to LACSA. Renamed to TACA & Avianca Costa Rica in May2013 ^ Genealogy : ENTA + Nationales de Costa Rica =>LACSA >TACA Costa Rica >Avianca Costa Rica |
|
| [Renamed] TACA de Costa-Rica Transportes Aereos Centro-Americanos |
1939 - 1952 |
|
^ Comments :
TACA de Costa-Rica Transportes Aereos Centro-Americanos was acquired by LACSA in 1952 ^ Genealogy : ENTA + Nationales de Costa Rica =>LACSA >TACA Costa Rica >Avianca Costa Rica |
|
| [Unsure] TACSA (Taxi Aereo Centroamericana) (Air Charter Service) |
1970* - 2010* |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Inactive] TAISA (Transportes Aereos de Integracion SA) |
1971* - 1978 |
|
^ Comments :
TAISA was founded in 1971 ^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Unconfirmed] TANSA (Transportes Aereos Nacionales SA) |
(****) |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Renamed] Tica Air International |
(2014) |
|
^ Comments :
Tica Air International was renamed to Air Costa Rica prior to start-up ^ Genealogy : Tica Air International >Air Costa Rica |
|
| [Not started] TICOS (Líneas Aéreas de Costa Rica) |
(2014) |
|
^ Comments :
TICOS - Líneas Aéreas de Costa Rica was founded in Dec2012 to take over TACA’s dropped routes. Did not start operations ^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Inactive] Trans Costa Rica |
1988 - 2000 |
|
^ Comments :
Lineas Areas Trans Costa Rica was renamed to Trans Costa Rica in 1988 ^ Genealogy : Lineas Areas Trans Costa Rica >Trans Costa Rica |
|
| [Inactive] TransCarga |
1988 - 1992 |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Renamed] TravelAir |
1991 - 2003 |
|
^ Comments :
Natureair was formed in 1990 & operations started on 30Jun1991 as TravelAir. Noted as the world's first carbon neutral airline ^ Genealogy : TravelAir >Natureair |
|
| [Inactive] VEL (Vuelos Especiales Liberianos) |
1983 - 1986 |
|
^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
|
| [Not started] VivaCam |
(2015) |
|
^ Comments :
VivaCam was founded in 2015 as a LCC with the name being a contraction of "Viva Centroamerica". It was rebranded as VivaLatinoamérica prior to starting ^ Genealogy : VivaCam >VivaLatinoamérica |
|
| [Planned] VivaLatinoamérica |
2017 > |
|
^ Comments :
VivaCam was founded in 2015 as a LCC with the name being a contraction of "Viva Centroamerica". It was rebranded as VivaLatinoamérica prior to starting ^ Genealogy : VivaCam >VivaLatinoamérica |
|
| [Active] Volaris de Costa Rica |
2016 - date |
|
^ Comments :
Volaris de Costa Rica was set up by Mexican carrier Volaris in Mar2016. Received its AOC & commenced revenue operations on 30Nov2016, with scheduled double-daily flights between San José Juan Santamaría and Guatemala City ^ Genealogy : |
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| [Inactive] West Caribbean Costa Rica |
2003* - 2005 |
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^ Comments :
^ Genealogy : |
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| [Unsure] Wiggins International |
1979* - 1979* |
|
^ Comments :
Wiggins International was a DC.6 operator in the late 1970s ^ Genealogy : |
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