El Salvador continues to position itself as a venue for high-level international events with the start of IATA Aviation Day, a gathering that brings together leaders from airlines, airports, tourism, and infrastructure, along with senior officials from the government of President Nayib Bukele. The event convenes key executives from the aviation industry, regulatory authorities, and tourism specialists to discuss the future of air transport in the country and the region.
“Today’s discussions will allow us to reflect on how air transport will continue to be an engine of well-being for this country and especially for its citizens. Aviation is much more than transportation; it is a driver of prosperity and a social connector,” said Peter Cerdá, IATA’s Regional Vice President for the Americas. He added that “El Salvador is at a decisive moment in its history and has the full potential to become a regional reference, particularly in aeronautical research and development, by promoting alliances with academia to create a hub of innovation and learning.”
Cerdá also highlighted that “the country has the opportunity to continue expanding its air connectivity, attracting more international visitors and also global events such as world surfing championships.” For his part, CEPA President Federico Anliker explained that the event was the result of coordinated work among several government institutions, stating, “We have been working on this for over a year with colleagues from tourism, civil aviation, and the economy because we believed that El Salvador deserved to host Aviation Day this year.”
Anliker thanked IATA for its confidence in choosing El Salvador as host, noting, “This decision reflects something fundamental for us: our country has step by step gained international trust and today is seen as a safe, modern nation with leadership.” During the event, he also emphasized the investment in airport infrastructure under President Bukele’s administration and underscored the country’s security improvements, stating, “We are the safest country in the Western Hemisphere. This achievement has allowed us to open our skies, attract tourism and investment, and become a strategic point for regional connectivity.”