EL SALVADOR IS BETTING ON TOURISM WITH A NEW AIRPORT BUILD

In President Bukele's first term, he announced plans to build a new airport to accommodate the tourism boom that El Salvador would experience.

In 2024, El Salvador saw a 17% increase in tourism, with 3.9 million international visitors. This was a significant increase from 2023 (source: Invest in El Salvador)

For decades, the eastern region of El Salvador was ignored by previous Governments and few investment dollars were allocated to improving local infrastructure and the economy. One of the most notable positive impacts of building the Pacific Airport will be tourism development in the area, job creation and connectivity to international markets.

Financing and Investment

The construction of the airport has been financed with a $320 million USD loan from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), a contribution of $16.4 million USD from the Government of Spain and $50 million USD of its own funds from CEPA (Autonomous Executive Port Commission (CEPA)).

Construction Timeline and Phases

Construction of the airport will take place in 3 phases. The first phase will be completed and operational by 2027. Bukele also reported that Avianca, a leading airline in Latin America will be the first airline to land at the future airport. Avianca is Colombia's largest airline, the 2nd largest in South America and connects to several major cities with flights to Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the USA.

Furthermore, phase 1 will include the construction of the first terminal with 10 passenger gates. CEPA's projections estimate that the new airport will generate approximately 5,000 jobs in its first year of operation, greatly benefiting the local economy. During the construction phase it is estimated that over 20,000 jobs will be created.

Regional Hub Ambitions

The Pacific Airport will become a regional aviation hub with the prospect of attracting airlines offering connections to Europe and Asia. The Pacific Airport is a key logistical project that Bukele announced in his first term and is projected to have a transformative impact on the neglected eastern region of El Salvador.

Written by: J. Lemus