On January 28, 2021, the AIP AIRAC entered into force, for the commissioning of the ILS/DME system performance category I (ILS CAT I) and the precision procedures, corresponding to runway 25 (RWY 025) of the International Airport of El Salvador San Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez (AIES-SOARG).

This will allow the aforementioned airport to have ILS/DME systems at both runway heads, a milestone of wide significance for the benefit of the aeronautical community of El Salvador and the Region. For the official operation of this system, it was necessary to develop said ILS/DME precision approach procedures in compliance with the provisions of ICAO Document 8168, PANS-OPS, Volume II.

The instrument approach charts published in the AIP of El Salvador are the following: ILS or LOC W RWY 25, ILS or LOC X RWY 25, ILS or LOC Y RWY 25 and ILS or LOC Z RWY 25.

This important system is made up of an ILS 420 and a DME 415 manufactured by the Thales Company, being certified by the COCESNA Inspection and Evaluation Department between December 03 and 05, 2020.

We thank the Civil Aviation Authority of El Salvador (AAC), CEPA and COCESNA staff for the implementation of this project, which will be highly relevant in order to strengthen operations and increase the safety of AIES-SOARG operations.