SANSA Airlines

ICAO: LRS Active as of Dec 11, 2025

34

Active Routes

936

Flight Observations

13

Unique Destinations

10

Origin Airports

98

Avg Route Distance (mi)

541

Longest Route (mi)

0

Domestic Routes

34

International Routes
About SANSA Airlines

LRS (ICAO: LRS) Airline: Comprehensive Information on SANSA

Servicios Aéreos Nacionales S.A., commonly known as SANSA, is a regional airline based in San José, Costa Rica, operating with the ICAO code LRS and IATA code RZ. Established in 1978 as a domestic subsidiary of LACSA (Líneas Aéreas Costarricenses S.A.), SANSA was created to manage Costa Rica's domestic air routes, allowing LACSA to focus on international operations. The airline later became part of the TACA Regional system and a subsidiary of Avianca Holdings. In 2019, Avianca Holdings sold SANSA to Regional Airlines Holding LLC, a U.S.-based entity, establishing SANSA's independence.

SANSA's main hub and operational base is Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica. The airline primarily operates a fleet of Cessna 208B Grand Caravan turboprops, each designed to seat up to 14 passengers. It boasts a network spanning over 15 destinations, predominantly serving domestic routes within Costa Rica, connecting key tourist locations. Additionally, SANSA offers limited international services to destinations in Nicaragua and Panama. The airline is not a member of any major global airline alliances like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld.

The airline provides a single Economy Class cabin, emphasizing comfort and cleanliness in its small aircraft, which are equipped with air-conditioning and leather seats. Seating is typically in a 1x1 or 1x2 configuration, and there is no pre-assigned seating; passengers select their seats on a first-come, first-served basis at the boarding gate. SANSA prides itself on being a carbon-neutral and one of the only zero-emissions airlines in the world. Standard baggage allowance includes one checked bag up to 14 kg (30 lbs) and a carry-on up to 4.5 kg (10 lbs), with options for transporting special gear like surfboards for an additional fee.

What Travelers Say

Travelers often highlight SANSA's convenience for navigating Costa Rica's challenging terrain, viewing it as a significantly faster alternative to driving.

What Travelers Love:

  • Efficiency and Timeliness: Many passengers praise SANSA for its prompt departures and arrivals, with some flights even leaving early, contributing to an efficient travel experience. The boarding process is generally quick and straightforward.
  • Unique Flight Experience: Flying in smaller aircraft offers scenic views of Costa Rica's landscapes, providing a memorable and enjoyable journey for many. The planes are described as comfortable for short flights, and the staff, including pilots, are often noted as friendly and accommodating.
  • Safety Perception: Despite the use of small planes, many travelers report feeling safe and secure during their flights with SANSA.

Common Complaints:

  • Flight Delays and Cancellations: A frequent source of frustration for travelers is unexpected flight delays or cancellations, often attributed to weather conditions or operational issues. Some passengers report receiving short notice or no notification at all for these changes.
  • Customer Service Issues: Several reviews point to difficulties with customer service, including challenges in obtaining refunds or making ticket changes. There are also accounts of unhelpful or rude staff interactions regarding flight alterations or information dissemination.
  • Seating and Baggage Limitations: The lack of assigned seating means passengers must arrive early to secure preferred spots. Furthermore, the small aircraft offer limited space for cabin baggage, often requiring bags to be stored at the rear of the plane. Strict baggage weight allowances and potential fees for excess luggage or special items are also noted.

Overall sentiment suggests that while SANSA offers an invaluable and generally pleasant means of transportation within Costa Rica, particularly for accessing remote tourist destinations, the airline's operational reliability and customer communication regarding schedule changes are areas that frequently draw criticism.

Safety Information

SANSA has a historical record of aviation incidents. Notable past events include a Douglas C-47 crash in 1984, which resulted in 4 fatalities. In 1990, SANSA Flight 32, a CASA C-212 Aviocar, crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 23 occupants. Further incidents involved Cessna 208B Grand Caravans, with crashes in 2000 (10 fatalities) and 2001 (3 fatalities). The investigation into the 1990 crash cited factors such as failure to adhere to the flight plan, the absence of a Ground Proximity Warning System, pilot fatigue, and a lack of a flight safety program within SANSA.

However, some reports indicate that SANSA has made significant efforts to enhance its safety performance in recent years. Costa Rica, where SANSA is based, regained its Category 1 rating from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2021, signifying that the country meets international aviation safety standards and demonstrates a commitment to high safety oversight. SANSA is also listed on the IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) Registry, which evaluates operational safety management and control systems for airlines.

Regarding its fleet and maintenance, SANSA operates primarily Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft. The airline states that both its first-generation and newer Cessna Grand Caravans are equipped with advanced safety technology, including tools like the Garmin 1000, to provide pilots with optimal information for safe decision-making. Recent expansions in 2025 have reportedly added new aircraft to the fleet to enhance capacity.

Based on available data, while SANSA has a history of incidents, the airline, supported by Costa Rica's improved FAA rating and its own stated commitment to modern safety technology and rigorous pilot training, appears to be actively working towards maintaining and improving its safety standards. Many current travelers express a sense of safety when flying with the airline. No specific safety awards or recognitions were found in the provided information.

Content generated by AI based on web research • Updated 2 weeks, 1 day ago
Route Network Map
Most Popular Routes
LIR → SJO
Guanacaste Airport → Juan Santamaria Int'l
100 miles
331 flights
C208
XQP → SJO
Quepos Managua Airport → Juan Santamaria Int'l
38 miles
114 flights
C208
NOB → SJO
Nosara Airport → Juan Santamaria Int'l
98 miles
54 flights
C208
PJM → SJO
Puerto Jimenez Airport → Juan Santamaria Int'l
118 miles
49 flights
C208
LIO → SJO
Limon International Airport → Juan Santamaria Int'l
81 miles
46 flights
C208
42 flights
C208
40 flights
C208
LIR → FON
Guanacaste Airport → La Fortuna
66 miles
30 flights
C208
23 flights
C208
21 flights
C208
Top Destinations
SJO (MROC)
Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
673 flights
9 routes
NOB (MRNS)
Nosara
Nosara
50 flights
2 routes
FON (MRAN)
La Fortuna
La Fortuna
38 flights
3 routes
LIR (MRLB)
Guanacaste
Liberia
33 flights
3 routes
ACO (MRAF)
Cobano Airport
Cóbano
28 flights
3 routes
PJM (MRPJ)
Puerto Jimenez
Puerto Jimenez
26 flights
2 routes
TNO (MRTM)
Tamarindo
Tamarindo
21 flights
1 route
GLF (MRGF)
Golfito
Golfito
18 flights
2 routes
TTQ (MRAO)
Tortuguero
Tortuguero
17 flights
2 routes
LIO (MRLM)
Limon Int'l
Limon
12 flights
3 routes
Top Origin Airports
LIR (MRLB)
Guanacaste Airport
Liberia
417 flights
4 routes
SJO (MROC)
Juan Santamaría International Airport
San José (Alajuela)
132 flights
12 routes
XQP (MRQP)
Quepos Managua Airport
Quepos
116 flights
2 routes
NOB (MRNS)
Nosara Airport
Nicoya
65 flights
3 routes
LIO (MRLM)
Limon International Airport
Puerto Limon
58 flights
2 routes
PJM (MRPJ)
Puerto Jimenez Airport
Puerto Jimenez
54 flights
3 routes
MGA (MNMG)
Augusto C. Sandino (Managua) International Airport
Managua
42 flights
1 route
GLF (MRGF)
Golfito Airport
Golfito
23 flights
2 routes
MRAO
Aerotortuguero Airport
Roxana
15 flights
3 routes
BOC (MPBO)
Bocas del Toro International Airport
Isla Colón
14 flights
2 routes
Top Border Crossing Flights
SJO (MROC)
Juan Santamaría International Airport
San Jose, CR
673 flights
9 routes
LIO (MRLM)
Limon International Airport
Limon, CR
12 flights
3 routes
Longest Routes
SJO → BOC
Juan Santamaría International Airport → Bocas del Toro Isla Colon Int'l
541 mi
SJO → LIO
Juan Santamaría International Airport → Limon Int'l
333 mi
MGA → SJO
Augusto C. Sandino (Managua) International Airport → Juan Santamaria Int'l
199 mi
BOC → SJO
Bocas del Toro International Airport → Juan Santamaria Int'l
141 mi
XQP → LIR
Quepos Managua Airport → Guanacaste
125 mi
Shortest Routes
GLF → PJM
Golfito Airport → Puerto Jimenez
11 mi
PJM → GLF
Puerto Jimenez Airport → Golfito
11 mi
PJM → DRK
Puerto Jimenez Airport → Drake Bay
27 mi
SJO → XQP
Juan Santamaría International Airport → La Managua
38 mi
XQP → SJO
Quepos Managua Airport → Juan Santamaria Int'l
38 mi
All Routes
34 Total Routes
Showing 25 most popular routes
Route Destination Flights Distance Aircraft Last Seen
LIR → SJO Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
331 100 mi C208 Oct 20, 2025
XQP → SJO Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
114 38 mi C208 Dec 1, 2025
NOB → SJO Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
54 98 mi C208 Nov 14, 2025
PJM → SJO Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
49 118 mi C208 Oct 29, 2025
LIO → SJO Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
46 81 mi C208 Dec 7, 2025
MGA → SJO Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
42 199 mi C208 Dec 10, 2025
LIR → NOB Nosara
Nosara
40 43 mi C208 Oct 20, 2025
LIR → FON La Fortuna
La Fortuna
30 66 mi C208 Oct 20, 2025
SJO → PJM Puerto Jimenez
Puerto Jimenez
23 118 mi C208 Nov 25, 2025
SJO → TNO Tamarindo
Tamarindo
21 111 mi C208 Nov 25, 2025
SJO → LIR Guanacaste
Liberia
21 100 mi C208 Nov 25, 2025
GLF → SJO Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
20 116 mi C208 Dec 10, 2025
SJO → GLF Golfito
Golfito
16 116 mi C208 Aug 29, 2025
LIR → ACO Cobano Airport
Cóbano
16 69 mi C208 Sep 23, 2025
BOC → SJO Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
12 141 mi C208 Dec 11, 2025
LIO → TTQ Tortuguero
Tortuguero
12 51 mi C208 Oct 29, 2025
SJO → ACO Cobano Airport
Cóbano
11 64 mi C208 Nov 25, 2025
SJO → NOB Nosara
Nosara
10 98 mi C208 Nov 25, 2025
NOB → LIR Guanacaste
Liberia
10 43 mi C208 Nov 14, 2025
SJO → XQP La Managua
Quepos
9 38 mi C208 Aug 24, 2025
MRAO → FON La Fortuna
La Fortuna
6 66 mi C208 Dec 8, 2025
SJO → LIO Limon Int'l
Limon
6 333 mi C208 Sep 16, 2025
MRAO → SJO Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
5 50 mi C208 Sep 8, 2025
SJO → TTQ Tortuguero
Tortuguero
5 50 mi C208 Dec 8, 2025
SJO → DRK Drake Bay
Osa
4 96 mi C208 Aug 24, 2025
Data Information:

Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.

Data Freshness: Real-time
Last Update: Dec 11, 2025 00:09
Coverage: Observed routes only