Observations and photos by Nick Halverson

April 5, 2007

I'm currently sitting in Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica, and the very first flight on Spirit Airlines just landed. There was obviously something going on today because there were a large number of people scurrying around in suits. Additionally, the entire area of Gate 2 at the airport was roped off to anyone not with the right credentials.

There is a traditional Costa Rican band playing (xylophone, snare drum, etc)

People were clapping and cheering when it landed. There are several political people here being interviewed by local TV stations. It has all the feelings of a party. Brit Coffee had a women dressed in an all white dress with red/blue stripes holding out Brit chocolate covered beans to the first passengers off the plane.

The airport did a great job welcoming the first flight. They brought out two fire engines and they turned on their big fire hoses and the plane drove through it. It reminded me of how important ships will receive that type of welcoming when they enter into a harbor.

They are now starting the press conference.
The US Ambassador is here, the head of ICT (Costa Rica Tourism Minister) and Sr. Management of Spirit Airlines.

Spirit Airlines (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) is the first low cost airline in Central America and the youngest set of planes in the industry.

Observation: The CEO (Michael Peter) of Spirit does not speak Spanish..

I have racked up over 1 million frequent flier miles traveling throughout the world, but have never seen anything like this before.

It was all very entertaining and a fun experience.

Bienvenidos Spirit Airlines a Costa Rica.