San Salvador International Airport Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez, formerly known as Comalapa International Airport, is a joint-use military and civilian airport serving San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador. It is located in the south central region of the country, in the city of San Luis Talpa, La Paz Department, and occupies a triangular plain of 2519.8 acres bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the south, the Jiboa River to the east, and the coastal motorway to the northwest. Its close proximity to sea level allows aircraft to operate efficiently at maximum capacity. It is connected to San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, by a modern four-lane motorway.
The airport ranks third in Central America in terms of passenger numbers. It is classified as category 1 by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). It was recognised as the third best airport in Central America and the Caribbean in the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2015. It is the second airport with the most competitive infrastructure in the region, with a score of 4.8 according to the World Economic Forum. It is also recognised by ICAO as one of the airports with the best security standards on the continent. The port is a preferred port for private jet flights due to its location.
El Salvador private jet charter prices
Although Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez Airport air charter fees depend on variables such as the number of passengers, departure airport, flight time, aircraft position, flight date, the prices for private jet charter from Istanbul → San Salvador are as follows.
| Heavy Jet | 133.400 EUR |
| Long Range Jet | 184.850 EUR |
| VIP Airliner | 206.250 EUR |
These prices are average amounts and you can contact us on our flight reservation screen or by phone for the most accurate price information.
History of San Salvador Airport
The airport was built in the late 1970s to replace its predecessor, Ilopango International Airport, and is currently used for regional, air taxi, military and charter aviation. The airport was built at the initiative and request of the then President of the Republic, Colonel Arturo Armando Molina. Funding for this project was provided by the Government of Japan, with engineering and construction carried out under the direction of Hazama Ando (later Hazama Gumi). All electrical work for lighting and communications was completed by Toshiba (later Tokyo Shibaura Electric). The airport began operations as Cuscatlán International Airport on 31 January 1980 and its first flight was a TACA aircraft to Guatemala City.
In 1995, the Salvadoran company B&B Arquitectos Asociados designed the expansion of the waiting rooms and boarding bridges, of which only the western area was built. The airport is the only connection centre or hub of the airline Avianca in Central America and serves other airlines flying to about 30 destinations between Central America, North America, South America and Europe. Since 1998, when the airport underwent its first expansion (AIES II), it continues to serve more than 2 million passengers arriving each year and is saturated in the areas of check-in, screening, immigration and baggage. In late 2012, the Autonomous Port Executive Commission (CEPA) began a rehabilitation, modernisation and optimisation project for the airport, which was completed in April 2015.
On 16 January 2014, El Salvador’s President Mauricio Funes announced at the Presidential Villa in San Salvador that El Salvador International Airport was named after Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez, although the airport is still commonly known as El Salvador International Airport. The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador approved the name change to Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez International Airport on 19 March 2014 without the vote of the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) or the National Coalition Party (PCN). Funes held a plaque ceremony to celebrate the official name change on 24 March 2014. The airport was renamed Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez International Airport by the Culture and Education Commission on 29 October 2018, following Romero’s canonisation by the Catholic Church on 14 October the same year.
Top 4 things to see and do in San Salvador
San Salvador, the capital and largest city of El Salvador, is one of the most important tourism destinations in Central America. It offers many options to its visitors with its historical buildings, museums, natural beauties and vibrant culture. Here are the places to visit and see in San Salvador:
Catedral Metropolitana: Located in the centre of San Salvador, this magnificent cathedral is the largest and most important church in El Salvador. Completed in 1970, the cathedral impresses visitors with its modern architecture and fascinating interior decoration.
Joya de Cerén: Like Pompeii, Joya de Cerén, a Mayan village preserved after the volcanic eruption, is one of the most important archaeological sites in El Salvador. Here, it is possible to discover many details about the daily life of the local people.
El Boquerón National Park: Located on the outskirts of San Salvador, this natural park attracts visitors with its canyons, hiking trails and volcanic crater. An ideal place for those who love hiking, El Boquerón is also a paradise for birdwatching.
Mercado Central: Located in the centre of San Salvador, this traditional marketplace offers visitors local food, souvenirs, works of art and many other products. With its colourful atmosphere and vibrancy, Mercado Central is not to be missed for those who want to experience the culture of El Salvador.
San Salvador airport information
Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez Airport is located approximately 40 minutes from San Salvador city centre. There are several different options for getting from the airport to the city centre:
Taxi: There are stands of taxi companies inside the airport. It is possible to go to the city centre by hiring a taxi from these stands. Taxi prices are not fixed and you may need to bargain.
Havaş: There are also Havaş buses running between the airport and the city centre. Tickets can be purchased at the Havaş stand at the airport or online. Buses depart every 30-40 minutes and the average journey time is 45 minutes.
Buses: Buses from the airport to the city centre are another alternative. Bus routes and times may vary and the buses run between 06:00 – 23:00.
Car hire: There are many car hire companies at the airport. However, due to the traffic and the complexity of the roads in the city centre, it is not recommended to use a car.
