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.
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:
Common Complaints:
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.
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.
| 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 |
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.