Alterra  Receives Ultimatum
The government is standing firm on the Alterra situation, yesterday telling the builder and manager of the Juan Santamaría (San José) international airport it has 60 days to being forward as solution to the stalemate, which is threatening to remove Alterra with a new airport manager and contractor.

The main issue in dispute is the fines that can be imposed on Alterra by the Consejo Técnico de Aviación Civil (CTAC) on delays of the completion of the airport terminal and other penalties for non compliance of the contract.

The banks financing Alterra, that include the World Bank, want to cap the fines to us$9 million dollars, while the government insists that there should be no cap, thus rejecting the financiers latest proposal.

The proposal calls for the manager contract to be extended a furter three year, the maximum permitted under the current legislation, if the Alterra, the banks and the government can come to an agreement.

If Alterra cannot find a solution to problem, the government has made it clear it is ready to step in and appoint a new manager to run the airport and complete the construction of the terminal.

CTAC officials say that tenders for a new manager and builder will go out if Alterra does not find a solution and quick.