First Cessna 208 for El Salvador

The Fuerza Aérea Salvadoreña (FAS, El Salvador Air Force) has received its first Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX on 1 November 2023.

This is the first aircraft of an initial requirement for two aircraft, which may be augmented by another pair at a later time. The arrival of the capable Cessna 208B EX is a welcome addition to the limited transport capabilities of the FAS, after the Basler BT-67 stopped flying a few years ago.

This left the small fleet of three IAI202 Aravas to take the burden of El Salvador’s military transport duties. However, the requirement for a larger twin-engine aircraft still exists, and it remains to be seen how this can be fulfilled.

The new Cessna 208B EX, with serial 700 and named Fenix, has been seen several times on familiarisation flights out of Ilopango air base, San Salvador, during the first two weeks of November. It wore US civil registration as N575FJ before delivery to El Salvador and has construction number 208B5757. The aircraft is operated by the Grupo de Transporte of the FAS.

Credit photo: Erick Rivera and Asociación de Spotters Salvadoreños (ASSAL)