SANSA Airlines

ICAO: LRS IATA: RZ Active as of Jan 31, 2026

Airline Statistics

38

Active Routes

1141

Flight Observations

14

Unique Destinations

11

Origin Airports

166

Avg Route Distance (mi)

666

Longest Route (mi)

0

Domestic Routes

38

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.

Traveler Reviews

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.

Compiled by AirportRoutes.com • Updated 2 months ago

Route Network Map

Click on any airport to see its routes

Most Popular Routes

LIR → SJO
Guanacaste Airport → Juan Santamaria Int'l
100 miles
346 flights
C208
XQP → SJO
Quepos Managua Airport → Juan Santamaria Int'l
38 miles
153 flights
C208
LIO → SJO
Limon International Airport → Juan Santamaria Int'l
81 miles
82 flights
C208
66 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
46 flights
C208
GLF → SJO
Golfito Airport → Juan Santamaria Int'l
500 miles
33 flights
C208
30 flights
C208
LIR → FON
Guanacaste Airport → La Fortuna
66 miles
30 flights
C208

Top Destinations

SJO (MROC)
Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
804 flights
9 routes
NOB (MRNS)
Nosara
Nosara
58 flights
2 routes
LIR (MRLB)
Guanacaste
Liberia
48 flights
3 routes
ACO (MRAF)
Cobano Airport
Cóbano
39 flights
3 routes
FON (MRAN)
La Fortuna
La Fortuna
38 flights
3 routes
GLF (MRGF)
Golfito
Golfito
34 flights
2 routes
PJM (MRPJ)
Puerto Jimenez
Puerto Jimenez
33 flights
2 routes
TNO (MRTM)
Tamarindo
Tamarindo
26 flights
1 route
TTQ (MRAO)
Tortuguero
Tortuguero
17 flights
2 routes
LIO (MRLM)
Limon Int'l
Limon
13 flights
3 routes

Top Origin Airports

LIR (MRLB)
Guanacaste Airport
Liberia
445 flights
5 routes
SJO (MROC)
Juan Santamaría International Airport
San José (Alajuela)
175 flights
13 routes
XQP (MRQP)
Quepos Managua Airport
Quepos
160 flights
2 routes
LIO (MRLM)
Limon International Airport
Puerto Limon
95 flights
3 routes
NOB (MRNS)
Nosara Airport
Nicoya
72 flights
3 routes
MGA (MNMG)
Augusto C. Sandino (Managua) International Airport
Managua
66 flights
1 route
PJM (MRPJ)
Puerto Jimenez Airport
Puerto Jimenez
56 flights
3 routes
GLF (MRGF)
Golfito Airport
Golfito
38 flights
2 routes
BOC (MPBO)
Bocas del Toro International Airport
Isla Colón
18 flights
2 routes
MRAO
Aerotortuguero Airport
Roxana
15 flights
3 routes

Top Border Crossing Flights

SJO (MROC)
Juan Santamaría International Airport
San Jose, CR
804 flights
9 routes
LIO (MRLM)
Limon International Airport
Limon, CR
13 flights
3 routes

Longest Routes

SJO → MGA
Juan Santamaría International Airport → Managua Int'l (Augusto Cesar Sandino Int'l)
666 mi
SJO → BOC
Juan Santamaría International Airport → Bocas del Toro Isla Colon Int'l
541 mi
GLF → SJO
Golfito Airport → Juan Santamaria Int'l
500 mi
SJO → GLF
Juan Santamaría International Airport → Golfito
500 mi
SJO → PJM
Juan Santamaría International Airport → Puerto Jimenez
458 mi

Shortest Routes

PJM → DRK
Puerto Jimenez Airport → Drake Bay
27 mi
XQP → SJO
Quepos Managua Airport → Juan Santamaria Int'l
38 mi
SJO → XQP
Juan Santamaría International Airport → La Managua
38 mi
SJO → FON
Juan Santamaría International Airport → La Fortuna
42 mi
LIR → NOB
Guanacaste Airport → Nosara
43 mi

All Routes

38 Total Routes
Showing 25 most popular routes
Route Destination Flights Distance Aircraft Last Seen
LIR → SJO Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
346 100 mi C208 Jan 30, 2026
XQP → SJO Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
153 38 mi C208 Jan 25, 2026
LIO → SJO Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
82 81 mi C208 Jan 29, 2026
MGA → SJO Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
66 199 mi C208 Jan 30, 2026
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
LIR → NOB Nosara
Nosara
46 43 mi C208 Jan 30, 2026
GLF → SJO Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
33 500 mi C208 Jan 18, 2026
LIR → FON La Fortuna
La Fortuna
30 66 mi C208 Oct 20, 2025
SJO → GLF Golfito
Golfito
30 500 mi C208 Jan 18, 2026
SJO → PJM Puerto Jimenez
Puerto Jimenez
28 458 mi C208 Jan 18, 2026
SJO → TNO Tamarindo
Tamarindo
26 111 mi C208 Jan 23, 2026
SJO → LIR Guanacaste
Liberia
24 416 mi C208 Jan 18, 2026
LIR → ACO Cobano Airport
Cóbano
22 69 mi C208 Jan 30, 2026
NOB → LIR Guanacaste
Liberia
17 250 mi C208 Jan 18, 2026
BOC → SJO Juan Santamaria Int'l
San Jose
16 141 mi C208 Jan 31, 2026
SJO → ACO Cobano Airport
Cóbano
16 64 mi C208 Jan 23, 2026
SJO → XQP La Managua
Quepos
12 38 mi C208 Jan 23, 2026
SJO → NOB Nosara
Nosara
12 375 mi C208 Jan 18, 2026
LIO → TTQ Tortuguero
Tortuguero
12 51 mi C208 Oct 29, 2025
SJO → LIO Limon Int'l
Limon
7 81 mi C208 Jan 23, 2026
XQP → LIR Guanacaste
Liberia
7 125 mi C208 Jan 25, 2026
SJO → BOC Bocas del Toro Isla Colon Int'l
Bocas del Toro
6 541 mi C208 Jan 18, 2026
MRAO → FON La Fortuna
La Fortuna
6 66 mi C208 Dec 8, 2025
SJO → TTQ Tortuguero
Tortuguero
5 50 mi C208 Dec 8, 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: Jan 31, 2026 18:08
Coverage: Observed routes only