A. M. 
The amendment to the Air Transport Agreement between the two nations will update the route schedule and establish up to 14 weekly flights per country.
The changes will update the air route schedule to a maximum of fourteen weekly flights per country, allowing for the expansion and regulation of flight operations between the two nations.
It will also improve air connectivity, facilitating travel for Salvadorans—both those living in El Salvador and those residing abroad—and for foreign visitors.
The amendment consolidates El Salvador’s position as a regional hub, boosting tourism, trade, and international integration.
Lisandro Landaverde, head of International Treaties at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explained to legislators that the agreement, in effect since 1997, warrants an update because it currently establishes only seven weekly flight frequencies between the two countries, and the proposed amendment will increase this to 14.
“The reform seeks to make the provisions regarding airline designation, traffic rights, fare capacity, and commercial operations more flexible”, the official said.
He said that this will allow designated airlines to operate under broader criteria of efficiency, competition, and sustainability, thus strengthening legal certainty for operators.
Historical partner
Spain represents a historical partner for El Salvador, given the large number of Salvadorans residing in the European country and the numerous cooperation agreements between the two nations, as highlighted by Alba Sánchez, Deputy Director of Economic Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Among the main benefits is a greater number of air routes, which translates into working with established airlines. This fosters competitiveness and lower costs.
One of the sectors that will benefit from this agreement is tourism, which represents 10% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He emphasized that with the arrival of more visitors, “the economy, micro and small enterprises (MSEs), as well as hotel chains, will benefit.”
Sánchez also maintained that more Salvadoran products could be exported with the new flight frequency to Spain.
Manuel Miranda, air transport coordinator for the Autoridad de Aviación Civil (AAC), explained that the seven weekly flight frequencies currently available are not for each airline or operator, but rather for each country.
Frequency is an aeronautical term that refers to an airline’s capacity to offer a certain number of flights per week for the transport of passengers, cargo, and mail, the AAC representative explained.
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