In Central America, these transit centers not only facilitate the flow of goods and services, but also act as gateways for millions of tourists who wish to discover the cultural, natural and gastronomic wonders that this exceptional region has to offer.
Central America has established itself as one of the most important connection points of the American continent, linking the North with the South and two oceans through the strategic Panama Canal. With an impressive tourist magnetism, the region offers a diversity of unique experiences that capture the imagination of travelers from all over the world.
The region has 29 international airports that transport more than 31 million air passengers annually, making it one of the most important points for the transportation of goods and passengers in the Western Hemisphere. Proof of this is that, in 2023, Central America together with the Dominican Republic received a total of 25.4 million visitors.
Given this favourable context for tourism, the region has begun a process of renovating its air terminals to present itself as an attractive, competitive destination capable of receiving travellers from all continents.
Belize is about to undergo a monumental transformation with the renovation of the Philip Goldson International Airport (AIPG), which will receive a colossal investment of $250 million. This modernization not only seeks to beautify the facilities, but to unlock the full potential of the airport, allowing for the influx of more travelers and new flights. The improvements include new terminals, taxiways, walkways and shops, as well as a new entrance. The investment is expected to take place over a period of ten to fifteen years, and it is anticipated that AIPG will become a reference point for international travelers.
Recently, Guatemala announced a tender, through a public-private partnership, to improve the conditions of La Aurora International Airport, located in the country's capital. The project seeks to modernize and expand airport facilities to increase operational capacity, improve passenger experience and attract more international flight flow.
El Salvador continues its tourism expansion with the improvement of the infrastructure for international tourism. With a renovated and expanded international airport, it is now moving towards the construction of the Pacific Airport in the east of the country, the remodeling of the Ilopango Airport, as well as the design and construction of an Aerodrome in Tonalá with an amount of 320 million dollars financed by CAF for the "El Salvador Vuela" program.
Along the same lines, Honduras began the remodeling and expansion of the Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport in September of last year. Work on the terminal, located in San Pedro Sula, is progressing according to schedule and is expected to be ready at the end of October for its official inauguration in December. Likewise, the paradise island of Roatán is moving forward with the expansion and remodeling of the Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport. This project, with an investment of more than 19 million dollars in infrastructure and more than three million in maintenance, aims to modernize the facilities and consolidate Roatán as a more attractive and internationally competitive destination. It is expected to be ready in the first quarter of 2025, as part of the Honduras Airport Transformation Plan.
Nicaragua, the land of lakes and volcanoes, has begun the process of building the Punta Huete International Airport. The project is scheduled to begin in July with a 400 million dollar grant from the People's Republic of China. It is expected that this air terminal will be able to serve more than three million passengers annually and will have a 3,600-meter runway for landing aircraft.
Panama has given the green light to a new journey towards the modernization of the country's main airport. Tocumen Airport, which handled 1.6 million passengers in June 2024 alone, is moving forward with the bidding process for its airstrips. In addition, the concession for the Enrique A. Jiménez International Airport in Colón is ready to execute the project that includes cargo handling, logistics and passenger services for the Colón air terminal. This aims to revitalize the Colón Free Zone, not only for commercial purposes, but also to exploit shopping tourism.
For its part, the Las Américas International Airport, José Francisco Peña Gómez, located in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, will have a new terminal. Its construction will begin in 2025 with an investment of 250 million dollars and will have a capacity of four million passengers per year. This aerodrome is the main air terminal in the Dominican Republic due to its location and occupies second place in passenger flow in the country.
In addition, the island is about to begin construction of the new Cabo Rojo Airport for 62.4 million dollars. The project includes, in its first phase, the construction of a landing strip of more than 3 kilometers in length, as well as a taxiway or parking platforms for aircraft. This new aircraft station will serve the tourist area of Pedernales, a project that is being built from scratch in a virgin territory with a focus on sustainability.
With these ambitious initiatives, Central America and the Dominican Republic seek not only to improve connectivity and passenger experience, but also to enhance the attractiveness of these destinations as epicenters of culture, nature and adventure. With a clear vision for the future, the region is ready to elevate its status as a world-class tourist destination.
Source: Visit Central America.