Costa Esmeralda Airport, located south-east of the Nicaraguan capital Managua, has opened to commercial traffic following its inauguration early last month.

A joint-venture between local Nicaraguan contractors D’Guerrero Ings, Lansa S.A. y Pavinicsa S.A., the single-terminal facility features a 1,500m-long primary runway capable of handling ATR42s, ATR72s, Gulfstream V jets and most turboprops.

The airfield, which features customs and immigration, will focus on bringing both local and international tourist traffic to the Triángulo del Sur (South Triangle) which comprises the colonial city of Granada, Ometepe Island, and San Juan del Sur.

“The arrival of Costa Esmeralda Airport will introduce the country to a global audience seeking new adventures and serve as a direct route to our majestic coast,” Don Carlos Pellas, owner of the Pellas Development Group, said. “It will reduce transfer time from Managua and Costa Rica, supporting Nicaragua’s flourishing tourism, which is essential to the country’s development.”

Currently, scheduled operators include La Costeña (LC, Managua) (serving Managua) and Costa Rica's SANSA - Servicios Aéreos Nacionales (RZ, San José Juan Santamaría) (serving Guanacaste and San José Juan Santamaría).