El Salvador's historic military and general aviation airport.
Opened
1920
Location
San Salvador, El Salvador
Ilopango International Airport (IATA: ILS, ICAO: MSSS) is located in Ilopango, a municipality east of San Salvador, El Salvador. It sits adjacent to Lake Ilopango and has historically served as a military airbase as well as a hub for general aviation and cargo operations.
For much of its history, Ilopango was the primary international gateway for El Salvador before Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (formerly Comalapa) took over commercial international traffic. Today, Ilopango primarily supports military operations under the Salvadoran Air Force, along with some domestic and private aviation activity.
The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 2,021 feet (616 meters) above sea level and features a single runway. Its location close to the urban center of San Salvador made it historically significant, though expansion was limited by surrounding geography.
Getting to & from
The airport is accessible by road from central San Salvador, approximately 8–10 kilometers to the east.
Airlines here
Ilopango does not currently host scheduled commercial airline service, as major carriers operate from Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport.
Notable facts
- ›Served as El Salvador's primary international airport before Comalapa Airport opened in 1979.
- ›Located adjacent to the volcanic Lake Ilopango, east of San Salvador.
- ›Currently functions mainly as a Salvadoran Air Force base.
- ›Has a single runway at an elevation of approximately 2,021 feet (616 m).
- ›Played a strategic military role during the Salvadoran Civil War (1979–1992).
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
