A. M. 
The “Aviation Day,” organized by the Asociación de Transporte Aéreo Internacional (IATA), began this tuesday for the first time in El Salvador, positioning the country as a strategic point on the regional air connectivity map. The event brings together airline CEOs, infrastructure specialists, tourism representatives, regulatory authorities, and key stakeholders in the sector, who will analyze the main challenges and opportunities for the growth of salvadoran air transport.
Over two days, the agenda includes more than ten panels with the participation of airlines, international organizations, development banks, and tourism institutions. Among the central themes are the challenges of the aviation sector, mega-infrastructure projects, opportunities for tourism growth, competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and the path toward carbon-neutral aviation by 2050.
Peter Cerdá, IATA’s Regional Vice President for the Americas, emphasized the country’s strategic role in the region: “El Salvador is consolidating its position as a regional leader in air connectivity. Its commitment to infrastructure modernization, the promotion of tourism, and its openness to foreign investment have transformed the country into a key connection point for Latin America”.
Economic and tourism impact
Air-related tourism continues to show solid growth, generating US$3.1 billion in international visitor spending and 97,500 jobs, figures that reaffirm the sector’s role as an economic engine and catalyst for productive development.
Connectivity analysis reveals that 70% of international passengers arriving in the country come from the United States, solidifying that market as the most important for the country.
The 10 most popular urban destinations to El Salvador (by passenger volume)
• Washington, D.C. – 271,900 pax (14.1%)
• Los Angeles – 226,400 pax (12.4%)
• Houston – 178,200 pax (9.2%)
• Miami – 162,000 pax (8.9%)
• New York City – 87,700 pax (4.6%)
• San Jose – 67,300 pax (3.7%)
• Mexico City – 60,100 pax (3.1%)
• San Francisco – 58,700 pax (3.0%)
• Fort Worth – 46,200 pax (2.5%)
• Guatemala City – (partial data, but included in the list)
The closing ceremony of the event
The closing ceremony of “Aviation Day” will take place on december 10 at the National Palace in the Historic Center, where the conclusions and strategic projections for strengthening air connectivity, tourism, and the country’s international standing will be presented.
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