Work begins on El Salvador airport expansion

The cornerstone was laid Thursday to expand the Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero international airport, the main gateway into El Salvador.

The US$66mn expansion is being carried out by Mexican construction firm CAABSA Constructora, which was awarded the contract in April.

The ceremony was attended by vice president Oscar Ortiz and Nelson Vanegas, president of state port authority CEPA.

Works will be supervised by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), while CEPA acts as overseer.

The current contract is part of the first phase of a larger project to expand the airport.

This phase involves a three-level terminal covering 21,673m2. Airline offices and ground support services, as well as warehouses for duty free stores will be hosted on the first level. The second level will have five passenger boarding gates and waiting areas, a VIP lounge and duty free stores, while the third will host the arrivals area.

Additionally, the terminal's lobby will be expanded by 1,543m2.

The expanded terminal is expected to be concluded next May.

In photo: Salvadoran officials attend the ceremony to lay the cornerstone.