The government of El Salvador has announced a new fee of one thousand dollars per person, which will be applied to all passengers of African nationality flying to San Salvador International Airport. This measure aims to curb a record migratory flow from African countries seeking entry into the region and the United States.
The Salvadoran authorities stated that the fee would apply to transit passengers. All funds collected will be allocated towards airport improvements. «The government is working diligently on modernization and expansion projects at the airport. The goal is to provide a top-notch service to all users,» stated the government in a press release.
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However, it is evident that the regulation aims to prevent immigrants to the United States and Mexico from entering through El Salvador. A report from the International Organization for Migration of the United Nations pointed out that more African migrants are flying directly to Central America to avoid the Darien Region, which separates Panama and Colombia. Ariel Ruiz Soto, senior policy analyst at the Washington Institute for Migration Policy, stated, «this fee could be an attempt to reduce the number of people who arrive in El Salvador and then attempt to enter the United States.»
The announcement of the measure came after Brian Nichols, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, visited El Salvador. Nichols stated that he had met with President Bukele and discussed «mutual efforts to address irregular migration.»
Ruiz Soto mentioned that many nationals from the affected African countries already need to obtain visas to travel to El Salvador, so the new measure will likely pose an additional barrier. The list of nations published by El Salvador subject to the $1,000 fees includes over 50 countries in Africa and neighboring islands. Indian nationals are also included.
The implementation of the fee will require airlines to submit a daily list of passengers from these countries to the government. Subsequently, airlines will be charged the fee plus taxes for each passenger. Avianca has already posted a notice on its website that this fee will be passed on to the passenger, who must pay it before boarding.
