Project Overview and Key Details
Location: San Salvador metropolitan area and San Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport, El Salvador
Development Name: AirCity
Developer: Aristos Inmobiliaria
Estimated Value: US$250 million
Area: 532,000 square meters
Infrastructure Highlights: Airport free trade zone in El Salvador, logistics park, aviation facilities, multimodal connectivity
Key Investors: Aristos Inmobiliaria (Grupo Aristos)
Status: Groundbreaking announced in December 2025; construction to begin in 2026, with initial phases operational in 2027
Investment Scope and Development Phases
AirCity will be located on an area of 532,000 square meters within El Salvador International Airport, San Óscar Arnulfo Romero. The investment in the airport free trade zone in El Salvador will total US$250 million, and the developer has proposed multiple phases to increase scalability and allow tenants to come online while future expansions are in process.
Government Support and Strategic Vision
Senior government officials and President Nayib Bukele attended the groundbreaking ceremony in the last days of December 2025. “AirCity is an example of the type of quality investment that will turn El Salvador into a regional logistics, commercial, and innovation hub,” Escobar, the CEO of Aristos Inmobiliaria, said in a press release.
Free Trade Zone Framework and Investor Incentives
“This development is a real-time example of the confidence that we have in the future of the Salvadoran economy and its potential to generate the highest quality employment for our people,” Escobar continued. The AirCity project will span an area of 532,000 square meters and operate as an airport free trade zone under the framework of El Salvador’s Free Trade Zone Law. The project will provide an array of incentives to foreign investors, including tax breaks, accelerated customs procedures, and a predictable regulatory environment.
A First-of-Its-Kind Development in Central America
AirCity is being marketed as the first airport free trade zone in El Salvador and the Central American isthmus, which places it in a novel category of real estate developments. The space in which AirCity will be built has direct connectivity to air cargo infrastructure, high-frequency regional and international flight networks, and an expanding logistics and industrial services ecosystem.
Regional and International Comparisons
The incorporation of aviation-related industrial real estate within El Salvador marks the country’s ascendance in this specialized market. The U.S. has a significant lead in airport free trade zones, with substantial developments in states like California, Texas, and Florida. Mexico has been rapidly developing this sector with new projects like Mexipark Logistics City, with two future airport logistics parks planned for Guadalajara and Tijuana, and an established presence with Aeropuerto Industrial Rosarito. In Central America, Panama is a close competitor, with ongoing construction of parks such as Logistica Tocumen and Aerofibra Panamá within its international airport.
Specialized Aviation Infrastructure and Operations
AirCity developers have also emphasized that tenants will be able to leverage the availability of specialized aviation infrastructure for facilities and operations. An on-site taxiway that links directly with the runway will give aircraft access to hangars or logistics facilities without operational delays. Large aircraft operating at El Salvador International Airport will therefore be able to drive or taxi directly from the runway to a hangar or logistics facility without operational interruptions. This flexibility is especially valuable for aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations and fast-moving cargo handling.
Multimodal Platform and Logistics Integration
The development will also have a platform of over 124,000 square meters on which aircraft can park, remain overnight, or stage prior to commencing maintenance or logistics operations. Warehouse, hangar, and support facilities are being designed to international specifications. When completed, the AirCity megaproject will combine airside and landside operations to function as a true multimodal platform and will connect logistics services with digital trade infrastructure, road transport networks, and e-commerce ecosystems.
Construction Timeline and Presidential Remarks
AirCity is located about 40 kilometers south of San Salvador, and building construction is set to start in 2026 with early phases expected to be operational by 2027. “The government is building a country that’s pro-business, pro-investment, and pro-technology,” President Bukele said on Twitter, commenting on the start of construction at AirCity. “Projects like these are what El Salvador needs, and we’re going to keep working for all Salvadorans and to transform our country, which is possible because all the sectors are joining forces.”
Job Creation and Workforce Development
The first phase of AirCity is expected to create over 500 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs, and the Aristos Inmobiliaria website says that “upon full operation, we expect to generate approximately 5,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs, especially in aeronautical maintenance and logistics, engineering, and other specialized technical services.” Aeronautical maintenance has significant long-term employment potential. The sector is rapidly growing, but demand for certified technicians, inspectors, maintenance engineers, and other specialists has been outstripping supply, creating a major opportunity for training programs and higher education across Latin America.
Impact on Airport Operations and National Economy
Direct employment at El Salvador International Airport is also going to increase significantly. “This is not only a point of origin and destination (POD); it is already a connected airport with great infrastructure in logistics, cargo, air and ocean connectivity and having nearby companies that complement the airport services in which we specialize and have always been distinguished,” Juan Carlos Schaff, head of aeronautical and industrial park development at Aristos, was quoted as saying. “The impact that this [AirCity] project will have will be very important to increase jobs, not only in the airport but also throughout the country.”
El Salvador International Airport as an MRO Hub
El Salvador International Airport, sometimes called “Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport,” is currently a focus point for MRO businesses. The airport connects San Salvador to central, south, and southeast Asia and operates as a focus city for Avianca and Volaris El Salvador, which has its hub there. A maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) specialist, MRO Holdings, also has an operations facility on the western side of El Salvador International Airport that is the largest aeronautical maintenance facility in Latin America.
Strategic Location and Nearshoring Potential
The airport’s location is also a major selling point. Passengers can fly from San Salvador to southern destinations in the U.S. in under three hours, and flights to destinations in both North and South America are efficient, making it an attractive nearshoring option for companies. AirCity appears to be a major opportunity for real estate developers, multinational companies, and investors in many different industries.