Costa Rica Green Airways isn’t just another regional airline—it’s a purpose‑built operation running one of Central America’s youngest turboprop fleets. From San José’s bustling hub to gravel airstrips carved out of coastal forest, our aircraft were hand‑picked to shorten jungle routes, sip less fuel and open runways scheduled carriers can’t touch. Add an in‑house maintenance team, a mandatory Green Fee on every ticket, and the coveted ARGUS Gold safety seal, and you get an airline that puts reliability, sustainability and passenger comfort on equal footing.
Why Our Fleet Sets Us Apart
A modern aircraft is more than shiny paint. Newer airframes reduce fuel burn, meet tighter noise limits and give crews cutting‑edge avionics—translating into quieter, smoother flights for you. Because every core aircraft joined us in 2021 or later, our average fleet age sits at just three years. That freshness yields fewer maintenance delays and noticeably calmer cabins compared with operators flying planes built last century.
| Metric | CRGA | Sansa* |
|---|---|---|
| Average Fleet Age | 3 years | 15 years |
| Fuel Burn per Seat | 2.5 L / 100 km | 3.3 L / 100 km |
| ARGUS Rating | Gold | Not listed |
| In‑House Maintenance | Yes (SYQ hangar) | Contracted |
*Fleet data: Costa Rica registry, 2025.
Short‑field performance is baked into every model we fly. Whether you’re boarding in Quepos, Puerto Jiménez or our exclusive Cóbano strip, these aircraft lift off in roughly 1 400 feet, clearing coastal treelines with power to spare. Their quick‑release seat rails let us swap layouts—from surf‑charter to business‑class—in under half an hour, keeping downtime low and flexibility high.
Meet the Aircraft Line‑Up
Cessna Grand Caravan EX — the Workhorse
Powered by an 867‑shp PT6A‑140 turbine, the Grand Caravan EX climbs decisively from humid beach runways while carrying up to 14 passengers. Its broad cargo door swallows surfboards, dive tanks and even folded wheelchairs. With Garmin G1000 NXi avionics, our pilots monitor terrain, traffic and weather on a single glass panel—raising situational awareness far beyond legacy steam‑gauge layouts. Three Grand Caravan EXs form the backbone of our schedule, connecting San José to Quepos, Nosara and Puerto Jiménez multiple times daily.
Daher Kodiak 100 — the STOL Specialist
Originally designed for humanitarian missions in the Alaskan tundra, the Kodiak’s beefy trailing‑link gear, oversized tires and 750‑shp Pratt & Whitney engine make it the Swiss‑Army knife of our fleet. It converts from nine‑seat commuter to all‑cargo in minutes, carries a 3 530‑lb useful load and can touch down on unpaved ribbons that deter light jets. For aerial‑survey and photography charters, the Kodiak’s side door can be removed entirely, providing a rock‑stable platform for shooting.
Britten‑Norman Islander — the Twin‑Engine Trailblazer
Our refurbished Islander marries classic British STOL DNA with a Garmin G600 TXi glass cockpit, leather interiors and onboard weather radar. Twin engines add redundancy over water crossings to Isla Tortuga or the Osa Peninsula, while its low stall speed lets us settle onto coastal clearings shorter than a soccer pitch. Seating up to nine passengers, the Islander shines on sport‑fishing charters hauling ice chests, rods and a week’s worth of excitement.
Safety First: ARGUS Gold & In‑House Maintenance
Achieving an ARGUS Gold rating isn’t a plaque you buy—it’s a multi‑layer audit covering pilot background checks, training records, maintenance documentation and safety history. We voluntarily renew that audit each year, proving our procedures remain best‑in‑class as we grow.
All heavy checks, borescope inspections and component swaps happen in our own hangar at SJO. Factory‑trained technicians service engines every 400 hours—double the frequency recommended by Pratt & Whitney—and recalibrate avionics on an in‑house bench. The result? low downtime, industry‑leading on‑time performance and the peace of mind that every departure meets identical safety standards.
Passenger Comfort & Mission Flexibility
You’ll notice the difference before the propellers spool up. High‑back leather seats with individual USB ports keep devices charged, and over‑wing air‑conditioning pre‑cools cabins on humid mornings. Thanks to quick‑release seat tracks, we can instal medical stretchers, remove rows for mountain‑bike teams or create an executive nine‑seat layout complete with fold‑down tables.
Flights longer than 25 minutes include complimentary soft drinks and freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee served in compostable cups—small touches that make short hops memorable.
Sustainability in the Skies — How Your Green Fee Works
Every Costa Rica Green Airways ticket carries a mandatory Green Fee that underwrites hands‑on programmes across the country:
- Wildlife airlifts & rehabilitation – we fly injured sloths, monkeys and birds free‑of‑charge to Rescue Center Costa Rica so they receive expert veterinary care and, whenever possible, a second chance in the wild.
- Water protection in Santa Teresa – funding and flight support for Waterkeepers Nicoya Peninsula as they monitor water quality and restore critical watersheds.
- Local education – classroom materials, field‑trip flights and infrastructure upgrades for the public schools of Manzanillo Beach near our Santa Teresa runway.
- Wishes in the sky – partnership with Fundación Sumando Sonrisas, giving children battling cancer an unforgettable aviation experience that sparks joy and motivation during treatment.
- Operation Rich Coast clean‑ups – logistics and charter support for extensive beach and urban clean‑up campaigns led by Operation Rich Coast, keeping plastics out of rivers and reefs.
Because our turboprops burn roughly 25 % less fuel per seat than comparable light jets, flights begin with a smaller carbon footprint; your Green Fee amplifies that advantage by channelling resources directly into wildlife rescue, community uplift and ocean health. Should you wish to make an even bigger impact, an optional carbon top‑up at checkout lets you add extra funding to the cause that resonates most—wildlife care, youth education or coastal conservation.
Quick Facts Before You Board
| Allowance | Weight / Size | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Carry‑on | 10 lb / 4.5 kg | Soft bag fits under seat |
| Checked bag (standard fare) | 30 lb / 14 kg | Upgrade to 50 lb on Full fare |
| Sports gear | Max 7 ft 6 in / 2.3 m | Surfboards, SUPs, bikes—flat fee (policy) |
| Check‑in closes | 30 min | Arrive 45–60 min early |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why operate three aircraft types instead of one?
Matching aircraft to runway length, passenger count and cargo weight lets us fly leaner and safer—no wasted seats and no performance limits keeping us out of remote strips.
Are all pilots type‑rated on each model?
Yes. Captains log a minimum 1 500 hours before upgrade and undergo annual recurrent training plus line checks on every fleet type they operate.
Will Wi‑Fi be available onboard?
Satellite Wi‑Fi trials begin later this year on one Grand Caravan EX. Meanwhile, every destination terminal offers free Wi‑Fi for post‑landing plans.
Ready to Board a Better Fleet?
Trade older cabins and longer runways for modern turboprops and off‑the‑beaten‑path airstrips. Reserve your seat on Costa Rica’s youngest, ARGUS‑audited fleet at costaricagreenair.com/en/book or call +506 4000‑2030—pura vida begins the moment the wheels leave the runway.