Low-cost airline Volaris Costa Rica recently received the temporary permit to operate new routes between the United States and Costa Rica.

Volaris Costa Rica currently operates 11 routes from Costa Rica to Guatemala, Mexico (3 cities), Nicaragua and El Salvador and has just been operating for one year in the country. Fernando Naranjo, general manager for Volaris, confirmed that they will be opening three new routes next year, Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California and New York.

Naranjo explained that Volaris has the objective of offering a new low-cost alternative for Central Americans traveling to the United States.

The United States remains the main market for Costa Rica, although the Costa Rican Tourism Board has been carrying out efforts to attract travelers from Europe and other destinations.

Back in September 21st Volaris received the temporary authorization to operate in airports in the United States despite the objections of Southwest Airlines that claimed Volaris Costa Rica is not owned by Costa Rican citizens as required by the US-Costa Rica Air Transport Agreement, but instead by a Mexican company, and therefore, they consider that the company is looking to gain special privileges through its Costa Rican subsidiary, a situation that would put US carriers at a competitive disadvantage. Volaris, however, concluded that Volaris was able to prove that effective control of the airline lies with Costa Rican citizens.