The measure affects passengers from 55 countries (see list below). According to the Cepa (Autonomous Port Executive Commission) of El Salvador, the fee is a site improvement fee.
The aim is to “provide firstclass service to all users and passengers traveling through the air terminal,” said the commission. The government points out that in recent years there has been an increase in the number of passengers boarding, disembarking and arriving at the airport, which justifies the introduction of the fee to cover the costs of expanding and modernizing the airport.
A fee is only charged for passengers passing through the airport. In a statement, Cepa also said that the Central American country is a connection point with more than 30 destinations in 14 countries.
Airlines like Avianca charge a fee when the ticket is issued. The company will provide passengers with a refund if they abandon the trip because they do not agree to pay the fee.
Migration to the USA would be one reason
Although not explicitly stated, it is believed that the measure was taken by the government of El Salvador to stop migration to the United States. The country is one of the immigration routes for foreigners trying to settle in the United States.