Salvadoran authorities reported that the Mexican Interjet is managing licenses to make flights between the two countries, and is expected to start operations in December.
According to representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority of El Salvador (AAC), the Mexican airline plans to make flights once granted the permission of Foreign Air Operator.
Regarding the permit management, the director president of the AAC, René López, explained to Elsalvador.com that the airline already requested the "... permission to start selling tickets, starting to operate in December. They are already closing the whole process with us."
The Salvadoran Civil Aviation Authority has temporarily suspended its operating permit and granted it a period of 90 days to decide whether or not to stay in the aviation market.
The company must decide its future in a maximum period of three months, as established by the Civil Aviation Authority of El Salvador.Its executive director, Jorge Puquirre, told Elmundo.sv that"... 'Their argument (the CASI) is based on current aircraft not being profitable under the terms of the low cost tickets offered'. However, 'they are already in talks with other operators looking to lease other smaller aircraft'. If the company decides not to stay in the market, the Civil Aviation Authority has the legal power to 'cancel the operating permit permanently'."
An announcement has been made of the upcoming tender for the construction of a 26 room hotel in the recently restored Ilopango International Airport.
An article on Elsalvador.com reports that "...The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will launch a tender in September to build a 26 room hotel in Ilopango, designed to accommodate expert airmen coming to the country to receive training, but which will also be open to the general public and especially, tourists who are already using Ilopango International Airport."
With a school of aeronautical firefighters, a center for aircraft maintenance and better programs of aviation mechanics, the country aims to become a regional aviation cluster.
Although the promised expansion of the international airport Ronulfo Monsignor is still going at a slow pace, the area of aviation training and commercial aircraft maintenance is prepared to improve its services and turn the country into a hub for the aircraft industry at the regional level. Mario Martinez, director of the Central Institute of Aeronautics Training (ICCAE), told Elsalvador.com that "... it is right time for the country to take advantage of all the elements that it can intergrate in order to be eligible to be a cluster in the coming years. 'The location we have is key. We can create a first class logistics platform. '"
Authorization has been given to the airline Transportes Aereos Guatemalans to perform flights between Guatemala City and El Salvador's Ilopango airport.
One more company is added to the supply of passenger air transport between the two countries, after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of El Salvador authorize Tag to operate commercial passenger flights. So far the airline Tag is only offering an air cargo service between the two countries.
The airline of Salvadoran origin VECA Airlines, which announced in November promotions for their first flights in the region, is not yet operating at 100%.
The airline Vuelos Económicos Centroamericanos (VECA) has not yet started to operate the routes announced in November and has not taken steps to expand its flights to destinations in the United States.
The Salvadoran Civil Aviation Authority has reported that Volaris is arranging for permission to operate a flight from Mexico to Ilopango airport, in the department of San Salvador.
The airline Volaris, owned by Avianca and the siblings Roberto and Maria Cristina Kriete, has requested permission to fly between Mexico and Ilopango Air Terminal, in the department of San Salvador.
An agreement is being established to promote the arrival of new airlines into the country streamlining the processes of registration and starting commercial operations.
The Superintendency of Competition and Civil Aviation has signed an agreement designed to promote competition in the airline market in the country, streamlining and simplifying the formalities the must be completed in order to start operations.
From 23rd to 25th of February representatives from airlines, airports and the tourism industry will be reviewing air services in the region.
More than 400 aviation professionals, representatives from 70 airlines, 25 authorities for tourism and airports will meet from 23rd to 25th February in El Salvador in the seventh edition of Routes Americas, an event aimed at developing new routes and expanding connectivity .
A series of reforms to the Civil Aeronautics Act establishes a policy of open skies and eventual pricing setting.
From a press release issued by the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador:
With 81 votes in favor, the Members of Parliament on Thursday approved nine amendments to the Civil Aeronautics Act, among which is the creation of an Open Skies policy which is consistent with globalization and with the regulations of other countries, to enable authorities to establish competitive agreements with air transport markets on a large scale.
There has been a favourable response to the bill establishing an open skies policy based on reciprocity with states and airlines.
From a press release by the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador:
The Commission of Public Works, Transport and Housing of the Legislative Assembly, reached a favourable ruling regarding the reform to the Civil Aviation Act, to establish in the country a "Open Skies Policy" and create greater competitiveness in the airlines market with fares which are more accessible to users.
The airline VECA has began a recruitment process and expects to perform its maiden flight next February.
We have been watching this recruitment drive with interest "because there are technical personnel we have to certify pilots, those responsible for instruction, flight attendants, maintenance staff, management, and quality staff," said Roger Menendez, executive director of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) .
Air agreements have been approved with El Salvador, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and Cuba in order to strengthen the open skies policy.
From a press release issued by the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador:
The House has approved legislation ratifying four agreements on air transport agreements between the Government of El Salvador and the Governments of Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and Cuba, which were submitted to the House by the Committee on Foreign Relations, Central American Integration and Salvadorans Abroad.
Vuelos Económicos Centroamericanos S.A. has started negotiations with the Civil Aviation Authority to operate in the region under the Salvadoran flag.
This was announced by Roger Menendez, executive director of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), who explained that in compliance with the first requirement, the company was recently incorporated and its executive board presented to the AAC.