El Salvador: Airport Expansion Urged

Avianca representatives say the current capacity of Monsignor Romero airport has already been far exceeded and the terminal needs to be expanded in order to improve passenger services and increase air operations. Roberto Kriete, cofounder of Avianca Holdings, said they are "crying out" for the airport expansion and that this situation "has delayed the growth of the company."

Kriete said in the article on Elmundo.sv that "... several years ago the pace of recruitment slowed, along with the inclusion of new flights because of lack of space in the terminal. 'It is already at its maximum limit. We can not expect growth if the airport is not expanded. All of the emphasis should be on what we can do to expand the airport, to hire more people and create jobs and bring more flights to El Salvador.'"

"... He added that Avianca executives will meet next week with CEPA to find out what decisions have been taken regarding the financing of the enlargement. ... Kriete said the company wants to know how the expansion will be financed. He believes that the simplest method might be for CEPA to get a loan, carry out the works and manage them."