Signature Aviation Expands Network in Costa Rica with Aerologística Partnership

This article is based on an official press release from Signature Aviation.

Signature Aviation Adds San José and Pavas to Network via Aerologística Partnerships

Signature Aviation, the world’s largest network of private aviation terminals, officially announced on January 15, 2026, that it is expanding its footprint in Costa Rica with two new network destinations. Through an exclusive partnership with Aerologística, a leading local aviation services provider, Signature will now offer services at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José and Tobías Bolaños International Airport (SYQ) in Pavas.

This announcement marks a significant acceleration of the company’s strategy in Central America. It comes just one week after Signature revealed plans to construct a new General & Business Aviation Terminal (G&BAT) at Guanacaste Airport (LIR), scheduled to open later in 2026. By securing a presence at the country’s primary international gateway (SJO) and its key regional hub (SYQ), Signature Aviation has effectively established a comprehensive network across Costa Rica’s most critical aviation nodes.

According to the press release, the partnership with Aerologística allows Signature to leverage over two decades of local expertise. Aerologística will act as the strategic local partner, handling flights and ground support under Signature’s service standards. The expansion covers all permitted aircraft types, including business jets, cargo, and military transport.

Strategic Partnership and Executive Commentary

The collaboration with Aerologística is described by Signature Aviation as a move to combine global service standards with established local operational capability. Aerologística, founded in San José, is recognized for its flight support and supervisory handling across the region.

In the company’s official statement, Derek DeCross, Chief Commercial Officer of Signature Aviation, emphasized the alignment between the two organizations:

“This expansion is a natural extension of our mission to elevate the guest journey. By partnering with Aerologística, we are combining our global standards with their trusted local expertise to deliver a seamless experience for our customers in Costa Rica.”

Juan Portela, CEO of Aerologística, characterized the agreement as a transformative step for his company:

“This partnership is a defining moment for Aerologística. It evolves our organization from a high-end local provider to a strategic partner with a global platform, allowing us to serve a wider array of international clients with the backing of Signature’s network.”

Market Context and Tourism Growth

Costa Rica has increasingly become a focal point for Private-Jets, driven by a surge in high-net-worth eco-tourism and real estate investment. Data from the Central Bank of Costa Rica indicates that the tourism sector generated a record $5.43 billion in 2024. The influx of luxury travelers has created a higher demand for reliable, standardized private aviation services.

While the new locations at SJO and SYQ will operate through the partnership model, Signature’s commitment to the region also includes hard infrastructure investment. The previously announced terminal at Guanacaste Airport (LIR) will feature a VIP lounge, conference rooms, and a private indoor garage. That facility is being designed with sustainable materials to align with Costa Rica’s environmental reputation.

AirPro News Analysis

We view this expansion as a calculated “asset-light” entry into the highly competitive San José market. By partnering with Aerologística rather than building new infrastructure from scratch at SJO and SYQ immediately, Signature Aviation gains instant operational capacity. This is particularly significant given the competitive landscape; Universal Aviation has operated a General Aviation Terminal at SJO since 2019 and holds a strong market position.

This hybrid approach, building a proprietary terminal at the leisure-heavy Guanacaste airport while partnering at the capital’s busy commercial hubs, allows Signature to capture traffic across the entire country rapidly. It also enables them to funnel their massive loyalty program members into Aerologística’s hands, potentially shifting market share away from established competitors by offering a unified network experience.

Community Engagement

The press release also highlighted Signature’s intention to extend its philanthropic efforts to the region through “Signature Serves.” While specific local projects were not detailed in the January 15 announcement, the initiative generally focuses on workforce development, education, and environmental sustainability. The company stated that the expansion would create local jobs, both in operations at the new partner locations and in the construction of the upcoming Liberia terminal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Airports are included in this expansion?

Signature Aviation is adding Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José and Tobías Bolaños International Airport (SYQ) in Pavas to its network. This is in addition to the upcoming terminal at Guanacaste Airport (LIR).

Who is Aerologística?

Aerologística is a Costa Rican aviation services provider with over 20 years of experience in flight support, ground handling, and logistics. They are Signature’s exclusive local partner for SJO and SYQ.

When does the new service begin?

The partnership and network inclusion were announced as effective immediately regarding the strategic agreement, with the network destinations slated for 2026 operations. The Guanacaste terminal is also scheduled to open later in 2026.

Will Signature build new terminals at SJO and SYQ?

Currently, the operations at SJO and SYQ are structured as a partnership with Aerologística, utilizing existing capabilities. The new construction of a General & Business Aviation Terminal is specifically confirmed for Guanacaste Airport (LIR).

Sources

• Signature Aviation Press Release (Yahoo Finance)
• Central Bank of Costa Rica (Market Data)