Airport of the Pacific El Salvador. El Salvador’s Airport of the Pacific is the new airport set to be built in Conchagua, la Union, in the eastern part of El Salvador, near the Gulf of Fonseca.
The new airport in Conchagua began as President Nayib Bukele’s campaign promise to boost the economy of the eastern region of El Salvador.
This airport is one of the emblematic projects of the Nayib Bukele Government, contemplated within the Cuscatlan Plan.
“The Pacific Airport is not just an air terminal; it is a gateway to development, tourism, investment and economic development of the entire eastern region,” remarked President Bukele.
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A Need For El Salvador’s Airport of the Pacific
The Airport of the Pacific is one of the emblematic projects of President Nayib Bukele, contemplated within the Cuscatlan Plan.
With this airport, the Salvadoran Government aims to transform the eastern region into an economic hub, meet rising travel demand to the area, and boost international tourism.
Residents of eastern El Salvador currently spend over five hours traveling to and from Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport.
Additionally, many tourists avoid venturing into the eastern region of the country due to its distance from the international airport.
The new airport in La Unión will provide a much-needed logistic solution for locals and tourists alike.
Construction
On June 21, 2022, the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly reformed the 2022 Budget Law and incorporated $12 million into the Ministry of Public Works for the execution of the first stage of the Pacific Airport.
President Bukele stated that the Pacific Airport will be constructed in three phases, with operations set to begin in late 2027 after completing phase one.
In February 2025, President Nayib Bukele symbolically marked the beginning of phase one construction of the Pacific Airport by laying the project’s first stone.
The Pacific Airport will begin operations in the first half of 2027 and has enough space to receive airline flights, cargo flights, assistance flights, military flights, humanitarian aid, and anything else that is needed. Nayib Bukele.
Airport’s Controversy
The construction of the Airport of the Pacific in El Salvador has sparked intense controversy. Supporters argue it will boost the economy and tourism, while critics express concerns over environmental impacts, land expropriation, and potential financial strains on the nation.
In October 2022, 10 landowners affected by the airport’s construction communicated that they would not sell their land to the government for the new airport in El Salvador.
CEPA president Anliker assured that they would seek to resettle all the affected residents and accused Bukele’s political opposition of manipulating a group of landowners who have refused to accept the government’s purchase offer.
Federico Anliker and the Minister of Housing Michelle Sol met with the families of the communities where the Pacific Airport will be built to present them with opportunities to improve their living conditions.
In January 2023, Cristosal, a non-government organization, filed suits before the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, arguing that three laws regarding the airport’s construction “open the door to corruption and called upon the Supreme Court of Justice to block the laws.
The Pacific airport work will affect about one thousand families from the La Union and Conchagua communities; these communities survive on farming and cultivation of basic grains and vegetables.
Airport of the Pacific, El Salvador’s New Airport
The Airport of the Pacific will drastically impact the region and the people in the La Union area. It will bring tourism, employment, and more opportunities. Not to mention that it will save time for those traveling to and from El Salvador.
