The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, August 28, 2003

PREPARE FOR ARRIVAL: American West to begin non-stop flights to Costa Rica
photo: AW

America West Announces Non-Stop
Service to San José from Phoenix
Phoenix-based airline America West yesterday announced it will begin Dec. 2 offering daily direct non-stop flights from its main hub in Phoenix to San José's Juan Santamaría International Airport.
(Click for more)

Finance Minister:
Austerity Measures Working
Government revenues increased 15.9%, while total expenditures (excluding debt-interest payments) rose 7.7% during the first seven months of the year compared to the same period last year, Finance Minister Alberto Dent announced recently.
(Click for more)

Sele to Play China in Friendly
The Costa Rican national soccer team will face China in a friendly Sept. 6 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in preparation for the 2006 World Cup eliminatories, according to Chinese news agency Xinhua.
(Click for more)

August 28

Conference on "Work as an Entertainment Tool"
by experts José F. Castillo and Anssuette Esquivel, at 5:30 p.m., Barrio Dent. Info: 800-542-7374.

Un Viejo con Alas
A play about a patient of a Psychiatric Hospital who does a supernatural act that surprises and touches doctors as well as patients, tonight at 8 p.m., Melico Salazar Theater, Av. 2, Ca. Ctrl./1. Info: 233-5424.

Nadie Me Quita Lo Bailao
A dance show that mixes bolero and swing rhythms performed by dancers of the National Dance Company. The show tells the story of a battered woman who frees herself by dancing, at 8 p.m., at Centro de Eventos Bash, former California Cinema, Ca. 23, Av. Ctrl. Info: 222-2974, 256-4838.

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America West Announces Non-Stop
Service to San José from Phoenix
By Fabián Borges
fborges@ticotimes.net

Phoenix-based airline America West yesterday announced it will begin Dec. 2 offering daily direct non-stop flights from its main hub in Phoenix to San José's Juan Santamaría International Airport.

"America West is thrilled to offer customers access to this luxurious tropical destination, which offers close proximity to Costa Rica's Atlantic and Pacific coasts," said company Vice-President Dion Flannery. "America West Vacations is creating sensational vacation packages for nature-lovers looking to visit the country."

The flight leaves Phoenix at 1 p.m. local time and arrives here at 7:15 p.m. The return flight leaves San José at 8:40 a.m. and arrives at 1:12 p.m, Flannery said.

The flight schedule is still pending approval from the Civil Aviation Authority and is subject to change. The airline will use 120-seat Airbus A319 airplane for the flight.

San José is America West's fifth new destination this year.

America West is the second largest low-fare U.S. airline and the eighth largest overall. It employs 13,000 workers and has a fleet of more than 140 aircraft. It offers nearly 900 daily flights to over 90 destinations in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

In addition to the America West announcement, negotiations between the government and Air Canada to create a direct flight between San José and Toronto wrapped up this week. Specifics on the flight haven't been decided, but the flights are expected to begin early next year.

"During the last 15 months, a total of 40 new flights to Costa Rica have been created -- that's an additional 260,000 yearly seats," Tourism Minister Rodrigo Castro. "This government is working hard to attract more flights and continue to attract tourists."

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Finance Minister: Austerity Measures Working
By Fabián Borges
fborges@ticotimes.net

Government revenues increased 15.9%, while total expenditures (excluding debt-interest payments) rose 7.7% during the first seven months of the year compared to the same period last year, Finance Minister Alberto Dent announced recently.

Excluding interest payments, the government reported a $192.3 million surplus between January and July -- the largest surplus registered since 1999.

"Subtracting foreign and internal debt interest payments from the primary surplus, the actual government deficit totals $296.5 million, or about 1.7% of the GDP -- lower than the 6.1% deficit reported at the same period last year," Dent said.

The increase in revenues was the result of increased tax collection. So far this year, income and sales tax revenues have increased 29.8% and 2.5%, respectively. Revenues from import tariffs dropped 6.8% as a result of limited fuel imports caused by the U.S. war in Iraq.

"Total expenditures, including debt interest payments, increased 11% compared to last year," Dent said. "This shows we are exercising control over total expenses. The increase in spending is slightly above the inflation rate."

Public-sector salaries and pension payments increased by 17%, he noted.

Interest payments during the first seven months increased 19.2%. Fiscal and foreign debt interest payments increased 13.3% and 44.1%, respectively. The increases are the result of the government repaying a series of short-term and medium-term bonds last month.

"Since recent bonds sales have taken place outside the country, fiscal debt payments have not increased much," Dent explained. "The government has not offered bonds in the local market for several months."

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Sele to Play China in Friendly

Chinese National Team warms up before World Cup match against Costa Rica
AFP/TT

The Costa Rican national soccer team will face China in a friendly Sept. 6 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in preparation for the 2006 World Cup eliminatories, according to Chinese news agency Xinhua.

The game will be a rematch of the two team's 2002 World Cup opener in Japan, which was won by Costa Rica 2-0.

Costa Rica has lost its last three games, but remained 17th in the world in the FIFA rankings released yesterday.

The Ticos have an African tour scheduled in October. The team is already scheduled to play South Africa, and could play Kenya.

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