Ilopango International Airport (MSSS)
Medium airport · San Salvador, San Salvador Department, El Salvador
Airport data
| Name | Ilopango International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | MSSS |
| IATA | ILS |
| Elevation | 2,027 ft (618 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 13°41'58" W 89°7'12" 13.69950, -89.11990 |
| Location | San Salvador, San Salvador Department, El Salvador |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/33 | 7,349 ft (2240 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Ilopango International Airport at a glance
Ilopango International Airport is a medium airport in San Salvador, San Salvador Department, El Salvador, known to airline systems as ILS. The field elevation of 2,027 ft (618 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at MSSS are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 15/33, offers 7,349 ft (2240 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 15 points roughly 150° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for MSSS shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Ilopango International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| El Salvador International Airport Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez | MSLP | 29 km (16 NM) |
| Palmerola International Airport | MHPR | 179 km (97 NM) |
| La Aurora International Airport | MGGT | 181 km (98 NM) |
| San José Airport | MGSJ | 187 km (101 NM) |
| Toncontín Airport | MHTG | 209 km (113 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Ilopango International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 2,027 ft field elevation of Ilopango International Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 2 airports and airfields we list for El Salvador — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Ilopango International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Ilopango International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Ilopango International Airport is MSSS, and its IATA code is ILS. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Ilopango International Airport above sea level?
Ilopango International Airport sits at an elevation of 2,027 feet (618 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Ilopango International Airport located?
The airport lies at 13.6995, -89.1199 — in San Salvador, San Salvador Department, El Salvador, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is El Salvador International Airport Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez, about 29 km away.
Does MSSS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for MSSS appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Ilopango International Airport?
Ilopango International Airport has one runway. The longest, 15/33, measures 7,349 ft (2240 m) with a ASP surface.