Airports In El Salvador: How Many Are There?

El Salvador, known as the Land of Volcanoes, is a small but vibrant country in Central America. It boasts stunning natural landscapes, a rich culture, and warm hospitality. With its captivating Pacific coastline and renowned surfing spots, El Salvador attracts adventurers and peace-seekers alike. The country's efficient aviation infrastructure includes around 22 airports, a combination of international gateways and smaller domestic airfields. These airports play a crucial role in connecting El Salvador to the world and facilitating travel within its borders.

El Salvador International Airport

The airport's history dates back to the late 1970s when it was constructed to replace the Ilopango International Airport. Japanese funding and engineering played a significant role in its development, with Hazama Ando (now Hazama Gumi) overseeing the project. Toshiba, then known as Tokyo Shibaura Electric, was responsible for the electrical work. The airport commenced operations on January 31, 1980, as Cuscatlán International Airport, with its inaugural flight operated by TACA Airlines bound for Guatemala City.

Over the years, El Salvador International Airport has undergone several expansions to accommodate increasing passenger numbers. Initially designed to handle around 400,000 passengers annually, the airport now serves over 2 million passengers each year. The latest expansion phase, completed in April 2015, included the addition of new gates and expanded passenger waiting areas. The airport has a main runway capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Boeing 777.

Domestic airports

El Salvador has an extensive aviation network, with around 22 airports catering to both domestic and international flights. While the San Salvador International Airport, also known as the Comalapa International Airport, serves as the primary gateway for international travel, several smaller airports facilitate domestic travel within the country. These domestic airports play a crucial role in connecting remote areas and enhancing the accessibility of El Salvador's diverse landscapes and cultural sites.

One notable domestic airport in El Salvador is the Ilopango International Airport (IATA code: ILS). Located near the capital, San Salvador, this airport primarily caters to private flights, air taxis, and military operations. Over the years, Ilopango International Airport has also become a hub for aviation training and air shows, contributing to the growth of the local aviation community. Its strategic location and range of services make it an important part of the country's domestic aviation infrastructure.

In addition to Ilopango, there are several other domestic airports scattered throughout El Salvador. These include the Ceiba Doblada Airport, Corral de Mulas Airport, Punta San Juan Airport, El Jocotillo Airport, El Tamarindo Airport, Espiritu Santo Airport, and Casas Nuevas Airport. These smaller airports enable convenient travel within the country, connecting travellers to various destinations and remote areas that showcase El Salvador's rich cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, and volcanic landscapes.

The domestic airports in El Salvador reflect the country's commitment to improving connectivity and accessibility. By providing efficient aviation infrastructure, El Salvador ensures that its diverse natural attractions and cultural offerings are within reach for both locals and international visitors alike, contributing to a vibrant and thriving tourism industry. These domestic airports, along with the international gateways, collectively shape El Salvador's aviation landscape and play a pivotal role in the country's overall transportation network.

Airports with scheduled flights

El Salvador has around 22 airports, including both international and domestic ones. However, only one airport, the Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (also known as El Salvador International Airport or San Salvador International Airport), offers scheduled flights. This airport, located approximately 31-50 kilometres from the capital city of San Salvador, is the country's primary international gateway. It offers direct flights to 32-33 destinations in 13 countries across the Americas, Europe, and beyond.

Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport is named after a revered figure in Salvadoran history, Archbishop San Oscar Romero. The airport combines modern amenities and facilities with Salvadoran hospitality. It is highly regarded for its efficient operations and comprehensive services, including a range of dining and shopping options, as well as car rental services.

In addition to being a hub for international travel, the airport also serves as a base for domestic flights, making it a convenient option for travellers exploring El Salvador's diverse landscapes and cultural attractions. The airport's strategic location and modern infrastructure make it a crucial link in El Salvador's aviation network, enhancing the country's connectivity with the rest of the world.

While El Salvador has several other airports, such as Ilopango International Airport, which primarily serves private flights, air taxis, and military operations, these do not have the same level of scheduled commercial flight traffic as Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport.

Ilopango International Airport

El Salvador is home to around 22 airports, including both international and domestic facilities. One of these airports is the Ilopango International Airport, located in the eastern part of the city of San Salvador. Ilopango International Airport, identified by the IATA code ILS and the ICAO code MSSS, plays a crucial role in domestic and international flights within El Salvador.

The airport has witnessed several notable events over the years. On 27 April 1964, Ilopango International Airport received the first jet airliner, a Boeing 707-321B operated by Pan Am Flight 503, with over 5,000 spectators in attendance. Unfortunately, the airport has also experienced accidents and incidents, including crashes involving the Salvadoran Air Force and collisions during landing attempts. One such incident occurred in April 1947 when a Douglas C-47-DL of Aerovias Latino Americanas collided with a train, resulting in extensive damage but fortunately, all occupants survived.

In recent years, there have been plans and efforts to modernise and enlarge Ilopango International Airport to accommodate modern aircraft better. Improvements have been made to the passenger facilities, and a new passenger terminal was inaugurated in December 2023, tripling the airport's passenger capacity. With its strategic location near San Salvador, Ilopango International Airport continues to be an important gateway for domestic and international travellers visiting El Salvador.

Airports under construction

El Salvador has around 22 airports, including both international and domestic facilities. The country's primary international airport is the El Salvador International Airport, which serves as a key gateway for travellers and is located near the capital, San Salvador.

In addition to this main hub, El Salvador has several airports under construction or in the planning phase to further boost its aviation infrastructure. One notable project is the Airport of the Pacific, also known as the International Airport of the Pacific. This airport will be a joint-use civilian and military facility located in Conchagua, serving the city of La Unión and the planned Bitcoin City. The project was proposed by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele during his 2019 presidential campaign and construction was approved by the Legislative Assembly in April 2022. Preliminary terraforming began in March 2023, and as of October 2024, the plan is to start construction in 2025. The airport is expected to have a significant impact on the region's economy, creating thousands of jobs and accommodating a substantial number of passengers and aircraft movements.

Another airport under construction in El Salvador is the Tonalá Airport. Unfortunately, there is limited information available specifically about this airport's progress. However, it is part of El Salvador's efforts to modernise and expand its aviation infrastructure to support the country's economic development.

The country's commitment to enhancing its aviation network is evident through these ongoing projects. By investing in new airports and upgrading existing facilities, El Salvador is not only improving domestic connectivity but also increasing its accessibility to international visitors, solidifying its reputation as a desirable destination for travellers worldwide.

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