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El Salvador International Airport Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de El Salvador San Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez), (IATA: SAL, ICAO: MSLP), previously known as Comalapa International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de Comalapa) and also known as the Comalapa Air Base (Base Aerea de Comalapa) by the military,[2] is a joint-use civilian and military airport that serves San Salvador, El Salvador. It is located in the south central area of the country, in the city of San Luis Talpa, Department of La Paz, and occupies a triangular plain of 2519.8 acres, which borders the Pacific Ocean to the south, to the east with the Jiboa River, and to the northwest with the coastal highway. Being close to sea level, it allows aircraft to operate efficiently at maximum capacity. It is connected to the capital of San Salvador, El Salvador through a modern four-lane motorway, with 42 kilometers (26 miles) travel in an average time of 30 minutes.

El Salvador International Airport Aeropuerto Internacional de El Salvador
IATA: SAL ICAO: MSLP WMO: 78666
Summary
Airport type	Military/Public
Operator	Autonomous Port Executive Commission
Serves	San Salvador, El Salvador
Location	San Luis Talpa
Opened	31 January 1980 (1980-01-31)
Hub for	Avianca El Salvador Volaris El Salvador Volaris Costa Rica
Time zone	CST (UTC−06:00)
Elevation AMSL	31 m / 102 ft
Coordinates	13°26′27″N 89°03′20″W
Website	www.cepa.gob.sv/tag/aeropuerto-internacional-de-el-salvador
Map
SAL Location in El Salvador
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 07/25 3,200 10,499 Asphalt 18/36 (Closed) 800 2,625 Asphalt
Statistics (2021)
Total passengers 2,517,000 Aircraft operations 33,760
Sources: AIP at COCESNA[1] and DAFIF[2] Passengers and aircraft from airport website[3][4]

It is the third of Central America in movement of passengers with 3,411,015 annually, counted without methodology, suggested by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It is classified as category 1 by the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States (FAA) and is certified by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Being the first in the isthmus to achieve these certifications[5] In the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2015 it was recognized as the third best airport in Central America and the Caribbean.[6] According to the World Economic Forum, it is the second in the region with the most competitive infrastructure achieving a score of 4.8 – 7.0 being the highest score – exceeded only by Panama (6.2).[7] In addition, ICAO recognizes it as one of the airports with the best security standards in the continent, only exceeded by United States and Canada.

History

This section does not cite any sources. (August 2021)

The airport was built in the late 1970s to replace its predecessor, Ilopango International Airport, which is now used for regional, air taxi, military, and charter aviation. The airport was built on the initiative and request of the then President, Colonel Arturo Armando Molina. Funding for this project was provided through the Government of Japan, Engineering and building came under the direction of Hazama Ando (then Hazama Gumi). The electrical work for all lighting and communications was completed by Toshiba (then Tokyo Shibaura Electric). The Airport entered in operation on 31 January 1980 as Cuscatlán International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional Cuscatlán), with its first flight being a TACA airliner bound for Guatemala City.

In 1995, the Salvadoran company B&B Arquitectos Asociados designed the expansion of waiting rooms and boarding bridges, of which only the area located to the west was built. The airport is the only connection center in Central America, or hub, for the airline Avianca, and also serves other airlines that fly to almost 30 destinations between Central America, North America, South America and Europe. Since 1998 when the first expansion of the airport occurred (AIES II), the airport has been suffering from saturation in areas of check-in, screening, immigration and baggage as it continues to serve more than 2 million passengers arriving each year. In late 2012, the Autonomous Port Executive Commission (CEPA) began their rehabilitation, modernization and optimization project for the airport, which was completed in April 2015.

On 16 January 2014, El Salvador President Mauricio Funes announced in San Salvador's Presidential House the name of El Salvador International Airport after Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez, but it is still commonly known as El Salvador International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de El Salvador). The Legislature of El Salvador approved the name change on 19 March 2014, without the vote of the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) or the National Coalition Party (PCN), to Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez International Airport. On 24 March 2014, Funes unveiled a ceremonial plaque to mark the official renaming. The airport was renamed to Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez International Airport on 29 October 2018 by the Commission of Culture and Education after Romero was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church on 14 October of the same year.[8]

Airport infrastructure

This section does not cite any sources. (August 2021)

Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez International Airport serves as the main hub for TACA Airlines, now Avianca El Salvador, and Volaris El Salvador. The cargo terminal, located a few dozen meters west of the passenger terminal, handles millions of tons of cargo each year. The airport is located about 50 km (31 mi) from the city of San Salvador. Roads connect the airport with the city. It handles international flights to Central America, North America, South America and Europe including daily flights to Spain.

When the airport was built, it originally had only 7 gates. It was designed to handle around 400,000 passengers a year, but the high increase of passengers in the last 15 years brought the airport to its maximum capacity. The airport has had two main expansions in the last decade or so. In its first phase (named AIES I), the airport grew from 7 boarding gates to 12, and later the second phase, AIES II, added 5 more gates bringing the total to 17. Along with new gates, new expanded passenger waiting areas were built. Even though all these expansions have been made, the airport once again has reached the peak of its capacity, handling over 2 million passengers in 2006. In February 2022, a brand new terminal building was inaugurated with five gates and the first gate with double boarding jetways in the airport. The new terminal building segregates arriving passengers, connecting, and departing passengers.

The airport has a main runway (07/25) 3,200 m × 45 m (10,499 ft × 148 ft),[2] with an effective running surface of 45 m (148 ft) and 7.5 m (25 ft) shoulders. Parallel to the main track and the same length as this, is the taxiway Alpha, which is connected to the track through six starts. For the use of small aircraft, there is also a secondary runway built (18/36), 800 m × 23 m (2,625 ft × 75 ft),[2] which is currently used for parking of "long life" for aircraft that require it.

The platform of Passenger Terminal 1 Building has fourteen aircraft parking positions with respective boarding bridges, which connect the aircraft directly to the waiting rooms. The platform of Passenger Terminal 2 Building has five aircraft parking positions with their respective boarding bridges. One of the positions has double boarding bridges for widebody aircraft. Three remaining positions are "remote", i.e., passengers who disembark at any of them are transferred to the terminal through aerobuses. The remote gates are used mostly by turboprop aircraft. The runway is capable of handling landings and takeoffs by Boeing 747 and Boeing 777 aircraft. Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen made an official diplomatic tour of Central America in an Eva Air B777-300ER aircraft.

The platform of the Cargo Terminal Building (ETC) has three positions for cargo aircraft parking, and also has a platform for the maintenance of five aircraft if required, just in front of hangars Aeromantenimiento (AEROMAN), a modern repairs workshop. The ETC has a total built area, comprising warehouses and offices, of 10,286 m² (110,720 sq ft).

Facilities

This section does not cite any sources. (August 2021)

The airport's modern facilities include duty-free shops, fast food and full-service restaurants, bars, air conditioned areas, tourist facilities, car rental, and spacious waiting rooms. There is space for 14 airplanes in terminal 1, 5 airplanes in terminal 2, 3 in the cargo terminal, 37 in Aeromantenimiento, S.A., and around 20 in the "Long Term Parking" which is runway 18/36. 94.5% of the airport's flights are on time (2005 data). The airport and runway have been closed at least 10 times in the almost quarter century since opening. They were closed for several hours following the devastating earthquake of 2001, followed up with minor repairs to the east end of the runway. They were closed again for several hours in 2005 due to Hurricane Stan. Although the airport is located near the Pacific Ocean, storms and hurricanes are not frequent.

There is Wi-Fi availability throughout much of the airport via Tigo El Salvador. Near Gate 3, a café called "The Coffee Cup" has free Wi-Fi for all customers.

Shops & restaurants

This section contains text that is written in a promotional tone. (August 2021)

This section does not cite any sources. (August 2021)

Airport passengers can make purchases from a wide range of duty-free shopping, including clothing, perfume, and spirits. There are also a variety of craft shops and restaurants. Other services include twelve car rental companies. Hotel chains such as Marriott International, Radisson, InterContinental, Hilton, Terrace, and Comfort offer representative and check-in desks at the airport.

Security

This section contains text that is written in a promotional tone. (August 2021)

This section does not cite any sources. (August 2021)

The International Airport of El Salvador, based in the town of San Luis Talpa, La Paz, received an international certification from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), after an investment of $8 million and a process of four years and two extensions.

The document credits the Salvadorian airport terminal with compliance with all safety regulations issued under the Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), on fire control and health care, removal of rubber from the runways, lights and safety signs.

The certification enables El Salvador to keep the category 1 status from the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States. "From the start of operations of the airport in January 1980, the terminal has been characterized by its safety," said Ricardo Sauerbrey, head of the Salvadorian terminal.

Airlines and destinations

Airlines	Destinations
Aeroméxico Connect	Mexico City
Air Transat	Seasonal: Montréal–Trudeau
American Airlines	Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami
Arajet	Santo Domingo–Las Américas
Avianca	Bogotá
Avianca Costa Rica	San José de Costa Rica–Juan Santamaría
Avianca El Salvador	Bogotá, Dallas/Fort Worth, Guatemala City, Guayaquil, Houston–Intercontinental, Lima, Los Angeles, Managua, Mexico City, Miami, New York–JFK, Ontario (CA), Quito, San Francisco, San José de Costa Rica–Juan Santamaría, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa/Comayagua, Toronto–Pearson, Washington–Dulles
Avianca Guatemala	Guatemala City (begins December 6, 2022)[9]
Copa Airlines	Panama City–Tocumen
Delta Air Lines	Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York–JFK
Frontier Airlines	Atlanta,[10] Orlando
Iberia	Madrid1
Spirit Airlines	Fort Lauderdale, Houston–Intercontinental, Miami, Orlando
Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos	Guatemala City, Roatán, Tegucigalpa
Tropic Air	Belize City
United Airlines	Houston–Intercontinental Seasonal: Los Angeles, Newark, Washington–Dulles
Volaris	Cancún, Mexico City
Volaris Costa Rica	New York–JFK, San José de Costa Rica
Volaris El Salvador	Cancún, Guatemala City, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Roatán, San Pedro Sula, Washington–Dulles

^1 Iberia's flight from Madrid to San Salvador makes a stop in Guatemala City, but the airline does not have traffic rights to transport passengers solely between Guatemala City and San Salvador.

Cargo

Airlines	Destinations
Amerijet	Miami
DHL	Guatemala City, Panama City–Tocumen
UPS Airlines	Miami

Statistics

Busiest routes

Busiest international routes from El Salvador International Airport (2021)[11]

Rank	City	Passengers	Ranking	Airline(s)
1	Los Angeles, California	362,274		Avianca Costa Rica, Avianca El Salvador, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Volaris Costa Rica, Volaris El Salvador
2	Houston - Intercontinental, Texas	318,235		Avianca El Salvador, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines
3	Washington - Dulles, D.C.	267,816		Avianca El Salvador, United Airlines, Volaris Costa Rica, Volaris El Salvador
4	Miami, Florida	224,964		American Airlines, Avianca El Salvador, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines
5	New York - JFK, New York	179,096		Avianca Costa Rica, Avianca El Salvador, Delta Air Lines, Volaris Costa Rica, Volaris El Salvador
6	Dallas - Fort Worth, Texas	130,550		American Airlines, Avianca El Salvador
7	Atlanta, Georgia	83,500		Delta Air Lines
8	Fort Lauderdale, Florida	80,944		Spirit Airlines
9	Panama City, Panamá	78,517		Avianca El Salvador, Copa Airlines
10	San Francisco, California	74,371		Avianca El Salvador
11	Mexico City, Mexico DF	68,839		Aeromexico Connect, Avianca El Salvador, Volaris El Salvador
12	Newark, New Jersey	63,154		United Airlines

Airline market share

Top Airlines at SAL
(January 2021 – December 2021)[11]

Rank	Airline	Passengers	Percent of market share
1	Avianca El Salvador	654,927	30.9%
2	United Airlines	484,548	22.8%
3	American Airlines	305,199	14.4%
4	Delta Airlines	240,949	11.4%
5	Spirit Airlines	118,620	5.6%

Accidents and incidents

Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez International Airport hasn't had any fatalities or accidents, however, there has been one emergency landing from a flight passing near the airport.

• In 2001, El Salvador experienced an earthquake (7.6 in the Richter scale). El Salvador International Airport (SAL) closed several hours due to airport damage, all damage was successfully repaired.
• November 2013, A Copa Airlines Flight from Los Angeles with destination to Panama City, Panama, had to perform an emergency landing at El Salvador International Airport due to technical problems.
• On 29 December 2013, flights to/from Honduras and Nicaragua were suspended due to the eruption of the Chaparrastique Volcano (San Miguel Volcano), which caused an ash plume that had a 10 kilometers height. Flights to and from Honduras and Nicaragua resumed when it was safe to fly by and the Yellow and Orange Alerts were gone; by 5 January 2014 all flights were resumed.

See also

• Transport in El Salvador
• List of airports in El Salvador

References

External links

Media related to Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website (in Spanish)

На других языках

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[de] Flughafen San Salvador

Der Aeropuerto Internacional El Salvador „Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero“ liegt etwa 40 km südöstlich von San Salvador, der Hauptstadt El Salvadors, im Gemeindegebiet von Comalapa in der Nähe zur Pazifikküste. Er ist das Luftfahrt-Drehkreuz der Fluggesellschaft Avianca El Salvador und der wichtigste Flughafen El Salvadors. Benannt ist der Flughafen San Salvador seit 2014 nach Óscar Romero, dem 1980 ermordeten Erzbischof von San Salvador.[1]

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- [en] El Salvador International Airport

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[es] Aeropuerto Internacional de El Salvador

El Aeropuerto Internacional de El Salvador San Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez (AIES)[2] (IATA: SAL, OACI: MSLP), antiguamente llamado Aeropuerto Internacional Cuscatlán, conocido como «Comalapa». Está localizado a unos 40 km —25 millas— de San Salvador, en El Salvador. Fue construido en la segunda mitad de los años 1970 siendo finalizado en 1979 por la constructora japonesa Hazumi Gumi, para sustituir a su predecesor, el Aeropuerto de Ilopango, el cual fue el antiguo Aeropuerto Internacional de San Salvador y que actualmente es usado para aviación militar y chárter. Este aeropuerto fue edificado a iniciativa y petición del Presidente de ese entonces, Arturo Armando Molina. En 1995 la empresa salvadoreña B&B Arquitectos Asociados diseñó la ampliación de salas de espera y puentes de abordaje, de la cual solo se construyó la zona ubicada al poniente. El aeropuerto es el único centro de conexiones en Centroamérica, o hub, para la aerolínea Avianca, y da servicio también a otras aerolíneas que vuelan a casi 30 destinos entre Centroamérica, Norteamérica, Sudamérica y Europa.

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[fr] Aéroport international du Salvador

L'aéroport international Monseigneur Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez du Salvador, (code IATA : SAL • code OACI : MSLP) est un aéroport domestique et international situé à environ 50 km de la ville de San Salvador, capitale de la République d'El Salvador et le chef-lieu du département d'El Salvador. Elle est la principale ville du pays et la seconde ville la plus peuplée d'Amérique centrale après la ville de Guatemala.

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[it] Aeroporto Internazionale di El Salvador

L'Aeroporto Internazionale di El Salvador è un aeroporto situato a circa 50 km da San Salvador, in El Salvador. Intitolato a Óscar Romero, ospita al suo interno la Base Aérea de Comalapa della Segunda Brigada Aérea della Fuerza Aérea Salvadoreña.[2]

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