Certain nationalities now have to pay USD1,130 to transit El Salvador?!

[Mattg]

I was on the avianca website today, and noticed a banner at the top of the home page saying "Beginning October 23rd, passengers from certain nationalities connecting through El Salvador will have to pay a new Airport Improvement Tariff."

Now, that in alone doesn't seem like a huge deal. But when you click to learn more, avianca goes on to explain that this fee is USD1,130 (almost AUD1,800). Just to transit through El Salvador International Airport. And it applies to 60 nationalities. Most of those are African countries, but India is also on the list.

The fee goes to the airport authority in El Salvador.

The notice goes on to say:

It is important to know that, even if you pay the fee, there is a possibility that, upon arrival at El Salvador, the General Directorate of Immigration and Foreigners will deny your transit through the country in accordance with its legal powers.

https://ayuda.avianca.com/hc/en-us/articles/19744371443355

WTF?

 

[Human]

The take from One Mile at a Time is that it may be a response to pressure from the USA government regarding people from Africa and India using El Salvador as a stepping stone to illegally entering the USA.

El Salvador Adds Absurd $1,130 Airport Tariff, But Only For Africans & Indians

El Salvador has added a new $1,130 "airport improvement tariff," but you only have to pay it if you're from Africa or India.

onemileatatime.com

 

[SYD]

The take from One Mile at a Time is that it may be a response to pressure from the USA government regarding people from Africa and India using El Salvador as a stepping stone to illegally entering the USA.

El Salvador Adds Absurd $1,130 Airport Tariff, But Only For Africans & Indians

El Salvador has added a new $1,130 "airport improvement tariff," but you only have to pay it if you're from Africa or India.

onemileatatime.com

Yep, that would have been my guess without even Googling it.