El Salvador has made significant progress in its open skies policy, strengthening its air connectivity worldwide and positioning itself as a key player in international aviation. According to Homero Morales, Executive Director of the Civil Aviation Authority (AAC), the country now has 22 Air Transport Agreements and six Memorandums of Understanding, with 10 signed during President Nayib Bukele’s administration since 2019.

These agreements allow “air freedoms, passenger movement, and cargo transportation,” Morales explained. They have facilitated operations for both national and international airlines, boosting tourism, trade, and investment. El Salvador is also negotiating new agreements with Singapore, Morocco, Argentina, and Ecuador to open direct routes, while discussions with Germany, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Oman aim to further expand connectivity.

“These agreements bring significant benefits and allow our national operators, such as Avianca and Volaris, to establish direct routes,” Morales stated. In 2024, agreements were secured with Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Belize, and ongoing negotiations with Saudi Arabia and the Bahamas could soon lead to direct connections.

The country’s international airport holds Category 1 status under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), allowing direct flights to multiple destinations. “This recognition enables our operators to establish key connections,” Morales said, highlighting the government’s efforts to attract tourism and increase passenger traffic.

“It took us 40 years to reach 5 million passengers, which shows the impact of public security improvements and tourism promotion efforts,” he noted. Morales reaffirmed that the government remains committed to advancing civil aviation and positioning El Salvador as a regional leader in air connectivity.