El Salvador is accelerating its economic ambitions with AirCity, a pioneering free trade zone adjacent to Monseñor Romero International Airport, designed to position the country as Central America’s leading hub for aviation and e-commerce logistics.
Backed by a $250 million investment from Aristos Inmobiliaria, the project will focus on two pillars: aeronautical maintenance and e-commerce logistics, with construction set to begin in 2025.
“Naturally, around these two core pillars, we will develop supporting infrastructure such as offices, back offices, data centers, and hotels to maximize this investment,” said Edwin Escobar, CEO of Aristos Inmobiliaria.
Initial earthworks are already underway, with the formal groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for the coming months.
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Why AirCity Matters
- Strategic Advantage: Located next to Monseñor Romero Airport – home to Aeroman, a regional leader in aircraft maintenance – AirCity leverages El Salvador’s existing aviation reputation. (Notably, the U.S. Secretary of State toured Aeroman’s facilities during a February 2025 visit!)
- Regional Vision: Spanning 532,271 m², AirCity aims to become “the most important aviation hub in the region”, offering services from aircraft repairs and parts manufacturing to cross-border e-commerce distribution.
- Tax Incentives & Customization: Businesses in this free trade zone will benefit from unparalleled fiscal perks and tailor-made industrial facilities.
Escobar revealed that two major companies – one in aviation and one in e-commerce – have already committed to the project, though their identities remain confidential. AirCity is projected to generate 5,000+ direct jobs, reinforcing El Salvador’s growing appeal to foreign investors.
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Bridging Education and Industry
Beyond infrastructure, AirCity is investing in human capital. A recent scholarship partnership with Key Institute, announced at the Runway to Knowledge forum, will train locals for specialized roles in aviation and logistics.
“In El Salvador today, we have the three critical components for success: interested investors, the infrastructure AirCity will provide, and the human talent being cultivated by institutions,” Escobar emphasized.
Dubbed “The Logistics Hub of the Americas”, AirCity aims to capitalize on El Salvador’s geographic advantage – bridging Central America and North America’s major markets. As global e-commerce and aviation demands surge, this project could redefine the region’s economic trajectory.
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As an additional note, for years, El Salvador has stood out in the region for aircraft maintenance through the company Aeroman. Interestingly, during his visit to El Salvador in February 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio toured Aeroman (located on the airport grounds) to observe the quality of El Salvador’s skilled workforce in aircraft maintenance.
While Aeroman has already established El Salvador as a critical center for aircraft maintenance and spare part production, AirCity takes this ambition further by striving to turn the country into Central America’s aviation hub—a pivotal link between North and South America.
