El Salvador Airport (SAL)
El Salvador International Airport Saint Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdamez (IATA: SAL, ICAO: MSLP), also known as El Salvador Airport, and formerly known as Comalapa International Airport, is the main gateway for international and domestic flights in El Salvador. Nested about 31 miles south of San Salvador, the nation’s capital, the airport is strategically positioned near the Pacific coast, offering travelers breathtaking views upon approach and departure. It was named in tribute to Archbishop San Oscar Romero, a revered figure in Salvadoran history; it stands out for its passenger volume, consistently ranking among the top three in the region.
In 2023, the airport handled more than 4.5 million passengers in arrivals, departures, and connections, marking a 32% increase compared to 2022. Consequently, the number of passenger flight operations serviced last year by the airport operational team was over 41,900; this is a 21% increase in relation to 2022. The growth in the number of travelers served is due to various factors, including safety in the country, the international exposure of our tourist destinations, and the different global events held throughout 2023. It is worth noting that last year, more than 56% of visitors entered by air, mainly from the United States (43%), Guatemala (23%), Honduras (15%), and other countries (19%).
Airport photos
Airport code
The IATA code SAL and the ICAO code MSLP identify the El Salvador Airport. These codes are crucial for air traffic control, airlines, and passengers to recognize and navigate easily this airport.
Read more: Why the El Salvador airport code is SAL?
Location
El Salvador Airport is 31 miles south of the country’s capital, San Salvador. The address is Autopista Comalapa, Comalapa, El Salvador.
Skytrax certified ratings
El Salvador Airport is certified as a 3-Star Regional Airport for facilities, comfort, cleanliness, shopping, food & beverages, staff service, and security/immigration.
Terminals
The El Salvador Airport features a modern, single-terminal design that efficiently handles international and domestic flights. The terminal is segmented into various sections, including arrivals, departures, and a transit area, ensuring a smooth flow of passengers.
Airlines and destinations
| Airline | Flights to/from |
|---|---|
| Aeromexico Connect | Mexico City |
| Arajet | Santo Domingo |
| Avianca | Bogota, Boston, Cancun, Dallas-Forth Worth, Guatemala City, Guayaquil, Los Angeles, Managua, Mexico City, New York, Oakland, Ontario CA, Panama City, Quito, San Francisco, San Jose, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, Toronto, Washington DC |
| American Airlines | Miami, Dallas-Forth Worth |
| Copa Airlines | Panama City |
| Delta Airlines | Atlanta, Los Angeles |
| Iberia | Madrid |
| Jetblue | New York |
| Spirit Airlines | Fort-Lauderdale, Houston |
| TAG Airlines | Roatan |
| United Airlines | Houston, Los Angeles, Washington DC |
| Volaris | Mexico City, New York, Roatan, San Jose, San Pedro Sula, Washington DC |
| Wingo | Panama City |
Arrivals
El Salvador entry requirements
- Passport: valid passport or travel document. Citizens of Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, can present their National ID instead of a passport.
- Visa: when required. Follow the Migracion y Extranjeria guidelines.
- Vaccinations: Yellow fever, if the passenger has visited certain countries in Africa or South America. There is no requirement to present a COVID-19 test or vaccination proof to enter the country.
- Tourist card: foreign nationals need a tourist card for 12 USD that can be purchased upon arrival. The card is valid for 90 days.
Departures
Baggage services
Secure Wrap is the world leader in passenger baggage protection services, specializing in checked baggage security. Services provided: baggage wrapping, re-wrapping, weighing, tracking, accessories and other. Business hours are from 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily (00:30 am in high season). Customer service 24/7 by telephone at (305) 423-0164, toll-free at 1 (866) 598-4264, by email at [email protected], or https://www.securewrap.com/.
Check-in
It’s recommended to arrive at the airport in plenty of time before the flight, as there may be long lines and security checks to complete. For international flights, check-in time is often 2-3 hours before departure, while for domestic flights, it’s usually 1-2 hours before departure. Remember that check-in times may differ for different airlines, so it’s essential to check with your carrier to confirm the check-in time for your flight.
El Salvador exit requirements
- Passport: valid passport or travel document.
- Boarding pass
- Entry and Exit for Minor Children: if the minor travels alone or with just one parent, the traveling parent must carry a notarial document prepared by a Salvadoran lawyer or via a consulate and authorized by the father or mother absent on the trip. You can download the Notarial Record formats here.
VIP Lounges
There are two lounges available at the airport:
Avianca Lounge
- Location: facing gate 10
- Eligibility: one-time pass of 3 hours for $20 or LM 1,800 (Avianca Lifetime Miles)
- Hours of operation: Monday through Sunday from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Services and facilities: Restrooms, food (hot, salads, sandwiches, pastries, snacks), drinks (water, soft drinks, beer, wine), workspaces, meeting room, TV, Wi-Fi access, charging stations, rest area, playroom for children, family room, showers.
AeroConnections VIP Lounge
- Location: next to Gate 13
- Eligibility: one-time pass of 5 hours for $35, Priority Pass cardholders
- Hours of operation: Monday through Sunday from 6:15 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Services and facilities: Restrooms, food (hot, salads, sandwiches, pastries, snacks), drinks (water, soft drinks, beer, wine), TV, Wi-Fi access, charging stations, rest area, showers.
Shopping and duty-free
- Books: International Magazine
- Duty-Free: Duty-Free Americas, Luryx Duty-Free, Attenza Duty-Free
- Souvenir shops: Mayé Un Detalle Con Arte
- Stores: Almacenes Montecarlo, Havana Cigar & Co, Lacoste, Pandora Jewelry, St. Jacks, Tommy Hilfiger
Restaurants, bars, and coffee shops
- Restaurants: Bonne Baguette, Burger King, Celeste Imperio, Delights, Domino’s Pizza, La Habana, Lizarran Latin Infusion Restaurant, Nostalgia Restaurante, Papa Johns, Pizque, Pizza Hut, Pollo Campero, Pollo Campestre, Subway, Wendys
- Bars: Beer Bar, Cadejo Brewing Company
- Coffee: Claudys Cake, Gofres Belgium Waffles, Juan Valdez Coffee, Starbucks, Tapacun, The Coffee Cup
- Desserts: La Michoacana, La Neveria, Tia Toya
Internet access
Complimentary Wi-Fi is accessible at the airport.
Banking
- Currency exchange: PROSEGUR Change
- ATM: Banco Agricola, Chivo (Bitcoin)
- Offices: Banco Agricola
Lactation Suite
It is a private space designed for nursing mothers to breastfeed their infants or express milk in a secure, clean, and comfortable environment.
Pet Relief
A pet relief area at an airport is a designated space where traveling pets and service animals can relieve themselves before or after a flight. Waste disposal, artificial grass, water station.
Ground Transportation
Ride Apps
- Uber: is the only taxi app available in El Salvador at the moment, and it can be used to go to and from the El Salvador Airport.
Airport Shuttle
- Trasporte Acopacific: providing airport transfers, hotel transfers, tourist transportation, and executive transportation. WhatsApp: (503) 2334-8420, WhatsApp: (503) 7744-5680. WhatsApp: (503) 7085-8569, E-mail: [email protected], website: https://www.transporteacopacific.com.
- Eco Tours Petate: telephone: (503)7181-9077, E-mail: [email protected], website: https://ecotourspetate.com.
Taxis
- Taxis ACACYA: telephone: (503) 2521-1000, website: https://taxisacacya.com.
Rental Car
From the baggage claim area go through customs. Before exiting the customs area, the rental car counters are located on the left.
- Alamo: business hours 5:00 am to 10:00 pm, telephone (503) 2367-8099, website https://www.alamo.com.
- Avis: business hours 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, phone: (503) 2339-9268, website https://www.avis.com.
- Budget: business hours 24×7, phone (503) 2259-5402, website https://www.budget.com
- Eco Rent A Car El Salvador: business hours 5:00 am to 11:00 pm, telephone (503) 7218-4215, E-mail: [email protected], website https://ecorentacarelsalvador.com.
- Enterprise: business hours 5:00 am to 10:00 pm, telephone (503) 2367-8099, website https://www.enterprise.com.
- Flores Rent a Car: telephone (503) 7895-0237, website https://floresrentacar.com.
- Jomer Rent a Car: telephone (503) 7681-1786, (503) 7732-5627, E-mail: [email protected], website: https://www.jomerrentacar.com.
- National: telephone (503) 2367-8015, website https://nationalelsalvador.com.
- PICHE RENTA CAR: telephone (503) 7744-3687, E-mail: [email protected], website: https://www.picherentacarsv.com.
Parking
- 1 hour: $1.25
- 2 hours: $2.50
- +3 hours – 1 day: $3.75
- VIP parking: $8.00 an hour/fraction
Hotels
Travelers landing at El Salvador International Airport have various hotel options to suit any preference. Close to the airport, there are convenient hotels ideal for quick stays or layovers, offering easy access for those arriving or departing. In San Salvador, the capital city, visitors can choose from various accommodations, from luxury to budget, providing a comfortable base to explore urban attractions and local culture. For those interested in a beachside experience, several hotels are located about an hour’s drive from the airport, along El Salvador’s beautiful coastline, perfect for relaxation or water sports.
Here, you can find the approximate distance and driving times to and from several hotels:
Hotels near the airport
| Hotel name | Driving distance/time |
|---|---|
| Quality Hotel Real | 1.9 miles, 5 minutes |
| Pato Canales Hotel & Resort | 3.7 miles, 8 minutes |
Hotels in San Salvador (city side)
| Hotel name | Driving distance/time |
|---|---|
| Courtyard by Marriot San Salvador | 27.1 miles, 47 minutes |
| Barcelo San Salvador | 27.1 miles, 45 minutes |
| Hyatt Centric San Salvador | 27.1 miles, 47 minutes |
| Holiday Inn San Salvador | 27.3 miles, 44 minutes |
| Sheraton Presidente San Salvador | 26.6 miles, 46 minutes |
| Intercontinental San Salvador | 26.7 miles, 47 minutes |
| Fairfield by Marriot San Salvador | 28.2 miles, 50 minutes |
| Best Western Plus Hotel Terraza | 28.4 miles, 48 minutes |
| Hilton San Salvador | 29.1 miles, 51 minutes |
Beach Hotels
| Hotel name | Driving distance/time |
|---|---|
| Hotel Los Farallones | 25.1 miles, 57 minutes |
| Boca Olas Resort & Villas | 25.5 miles, 57 minutes |
| MIZATA by Antiresort | 53 miles, 1 hour 49 minutes |
| Royal Decameron Salinitas | 77.6 miles, 2 hours 4 minutes |
Other airports in El Salvador
- Ilopango International Airport: 23.2 miles, 59 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Salvador Airport open?
Yes, El Salvador Airport is fully operational.
Does the San Salvador airport have free Wifi?
Yes, the San Salvador airport provides free Wifi.
How far is the beach from San Salvador Airport?
El Salvador, known for its beautiful coastlines along the Pacific Ocean, offers several stunning beaches easily accessible from El Salvador International Airport. Here are a few of the most renowned beaches and their approximate distances from the airport:
- El Tunco Beach: located in La Libertad Department, El Tunco is famous for its surf, vibrant nightlife, and the iconic rock formations along its shore. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists. Located about 22.3 miles from the airport.
- El Sunzal Beach: situated close to El Tunco, El Sunzal is well-known for its excellent surfing conditions and is a bit more laid-back, making it perfect for those looking to catch some waves or relax by the sea. Located about 22.3 miles from the airport (very close to El Tunco, thus the similar distance)
- El Zonte Beach: this beach is also a favorite among surfers, offering a more rustic and less crowded environment. El Zonte is known for its strong local community vibe and beautiful sunsets. Located about 27.5 miles from the airport.
- Costa del Sol: a bit farther away, Costa del Sol is renowned for its long, wide beaches and calm waters, making it ideal for swimming and family outings. The area is also home to several upscale resorts and restaurants. It is approximately 13.2 miles away, making it one of the closest beautiful beach options from the airport.
What is the main airline in El Salvador?
The main airline of El Salvador is Avianca El Salvador, formerly known as TACA Airlines (Transportes Aéreos del Continente Americano). In 2009, TACA entered a merger with Avianca, a Colombian airline, which led to the creation of Avianca Holdings. Following the merger, TACA Airlines gradually adopted the Avianca brand, and by 2013, the transition was completed, with all operations coming under the Avianca name. Avianca El Salvador operates as a subsidiary of Avianca Holdings and continues to serve as a vital connection between El Salvador and various destinations in North, Central, and South America, as well as to Europe.
Technical information
- Airport Name: El Salvador International Airport Saint Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdamez
- Other unofficial airport names used: El Salvador Airport, El Salvador International Airport, Comalapa International Airport
- Central Standard Time
- Time zone in El Salvador (GMT-6)
- Airport Code: SAL
- Location: Autopista Comalapa, Comalapa, El Salvador
- Phone numbers: (503) 2526-3422
- Operating hours: 24/7
- Operator: CEPA (Comisión Ejecutiva Portuaria Autónoma)
- Official website: https://www.cepa.gob.sv/tag/aeropuerto-internacional-de-el-salvador
- Coordinates: 13°26′27″N 89°03′20″W
- Elevation: 102 feet
- Landing strip length: 3,200 meters (10,499 feet)
- Runways: 07/25