In a recent session of the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly, deputies from the governing party have successfully stalled a proposal designed to lower the cost of flights to Central America and the Dominican Republic. The Social Democratic Progress Party (PPSD), led by Congresswoman Pilar Cisneros, introduced 63 substantial motions against the bill on Monday, significantly hindering its advancement.
The bill, put forward by Eli Feinzaig of the Liberal Progressive Party (PLP), aims to make regional travel more affordable by capping round-trip fares at less than $126. Feinzaig contends that the bill would support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by enabling them to explore regional markets and enhance tourism.
Under the proposed legislation, the departure tax for flights from Costa Rica to Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama would be reduced from $27 to $14. This reduction would apply if the ticket price is under $80 before taxes for round-trip travel, or $40 for one-way trips. The bill also mandates that total taxes and airport fees should not exceed $23 in each country.
Despite these provisions, the government has voiced concerns about the bill. Laura Fernández, Minister of the Presidency, has suggested that the proposal be reviewed by the Tourism Commission rather than expedited through the plenary. Fernández expressed apprehension that lower airfare might encourage tourists to shorten their stays in Costa Rica, potentially impacting the local tourism industry, where visitors currently spend an average of 13 days.
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