A. M. 
The Aeropuerto Internacional de El Salvador “San Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez” reached 5 million passengers this year, solidifying its position as one of the country’s main entry and exit points, reflecting the sustained growth of air connectivity and domestic tourism.
This milestone was reached on sunday, december 21, during the morning flight bank, as part of the peak year-end season, which runs from december 1, 2025, to january 15, 2026—one of the busiest periods of the year.
From the early hours of monday, december 22, the President of the Comisión Ejecutiva Portuaria Autónoma (CEPA), Federico Anliker, conducted a supervisory tour to verify on-site the flow of airport operations, confirming the development of the processes of departure flights, arrivals, connections, the entry and exit of passengers, with the objective of ensuring that they remain agile, orderly and safe.
During peak season, Aeropuerto Internacional de El Salvador projects serving over 700,000 passengers, with a daily average of approximately 16,000. Between December 15 and 21, daily passenger traffic remained within this range, while weekends saw over 17,500 passengers per day, reflecting typical patterns for this time of year. Air operations also show an approximate 7% increase compared to regular periods.
In terms of tourism, as of november 2025, El Salvador has received 3.6 million international visitors, 44% of whom arrived by air and 56% by land. The main countries of residence for these visitors are the United States (37%), Guatemala (31%), and Honduras (17%), while 15% come from other countries. A surge in tourism is projected for December, linked to family reunions and the country’s recreational offerings.
To meet this increased demand, CEPA has deployed a team of approximately 1,800 people in operational and administrative roles, working 24/7 in rotating shifts, with the support of institutions such as como Migración, Aduanas, PNC, ANSP, Ministerio de Salud, OIRSA, VMT, MITUR, CORSATUR, AAC and MAG.
As part of its commitment to the user experience, the airport has implemented a new, expanded check-in system, increasing the number of direct service points. Currently, the airport has 122 active check-in points, strategically located in the departures area, which reduces waiting times and improves passenger service during peak season. In addition, there is ample parking space with more than 2,700 spaces available.
The increase in passenger traffic during the end-of-year season is a result of the security, stability, and order that the country has been consolidating, which now allows El Salvador to be perceived as a more reliable and attractive destination for tourism, family reunions, and investment.
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