El Salvador Ilopango Air Show 2026: Highlights, Activities, and Ticket Information

By Karla Ramos  | Updated on January 22, 2026
El Salvador Ilopango Air ShowIlopango Air Show. Image Source.

The Salvadoran skies will once again host the acrobatic performances of national and international pilots during the 2026 Ilopango Air Show.

The event, titled “Skies to the Limit (Cielos al Límite in Spanish),” is scheduled for January 31 and February 1 at Ilopango International Airport.

Now in its fifteenth edition, the air show will benefit the Intensive Care Unit of the Benjamín Bloom Children’s Hospital.

Among the Salvadoran pilots set to perform are Carlos Dárdano, Paco Sol, Tito Gutiérrez, and Fernando Viaud, as well as members of the Salvadoran Air Force.

“Each year we take on the challenge of delivering an innovative show that surprises Salvadoran families and offers unique, adrenaline-filled experiences,” said Paco Sol, president of the 2026 Ilopango Air Show Organizing Committee.

Organizers noted that more than 40,000 people attended the event over the two days, where spectators can not only watch aerial maneuvers but also visit food and souvenir vendors set up throughout the airport grounds.

Ilopango Air Show El Salvador
Ilopango Air Show. Image Source.

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Ilopango Air Show 2026: Ticket Prices and Points of Sale

Tickets can be purchased in advance through Smart Ticket for $14 for adults and $7 for children, plus the ticketing fee. Tickets will cost $16 for adults and $8 for children on the day of the event. Parking is also available in advance for $3.25.

In addition to Smart Ticket, tickets can be purchased at the Ilopango Aeroclub, Smart Ticket kiosks at Galerías shopping center, and Omni Music stores.

World-Class Aerial Spectacle

According to organizers, the 2026 Ilopango Air Show will feature internationally renowned pilots, including Scott Farnsworth, who will captivate audiences with extreme maneuvers, daring spins, and ultra-low passes.

Also taking to the skies is Melissa Burns, a veteran American aerobatic pilot who has been flying since the age of 18 and is known for her high-adrenaline routines and aggressive spins.

The program will also include Rich Gibson, famously known as “Rich’s Incredible Pyro,” whose signature pyrotechnic explosions recreate the intensity of a simulated aerial attack.

Furthermore, Joint Task Force (JTF) Bravo—a U.S. military unit based at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras—will showcase a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and a drone.

Military personnel will explain how these aircraft are used in security, defense, humanitarian assistance, and training missions across Central America.

Adding to the entertainment, the New Hampshire National Band will perform live, along with a surprise appearance by a Salvadoran artist.

2025 Ilopango Air Show
Ilopango Air Show. Image Source.

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the idea of holding an air show in El Salvador was born in 1996 at the initiative of two members of the Aeroclub of El Salvador, Federico Batlle and Carlos Panama.

The first one was held in January 1997 with the participation of both national and international performers. The first international performers to accept an invitation to participate in our show were “The Northern Lights.”