SIO

SIO, a woman-owned aerospace and defense consulting company in El Salvador, embarked on its journey just before the pandemic. It is owned by Laura Ruiz de Cuenca, and together with her husband, Juan Carlos Cuenca, they began this project, combining years of experience in the aviation and service industry. They believe in constant growth, education, innovation, and social responsibility as the fundamental pillars in the development of the company, which is demonstrated by the success the company has achieved. Despite the world facing an unexpected storm, SIO stood tall, offering specialized logistics, security services and technological support in the aviation sector. The services, which include airline security, consulting on training programs and security strategies, are designed to meet the stringent requirements of local aviation authorities.

“We are driven by the goal of providing top-notch security support services with a commitment to trust and quality within Central America. While service excellence is the main pillar of our business, our vision is not limited to this. We focus on providing jobs to single mothers, enabling them to support their families and continue their education to pave the way for a brighter future,” claims Juan Carlos Cuenca, general manager at SIO.

Cuenca’s extensive experience both as a security manager for a top airline and business development executive in the U.S., Costa Rica, El Salvador, Miami and Venezuela equips him with a detailed understanding of airline security. For instance, airline executives fall short in recognizing and evaluating current aviation risks. They need to understand the importance of implementing effective countermeasures.

A sense of complacency has emerged among the authorities as there have not been any major terrorist attacks in aviation since the early 2000s. The threat, however, still lingers. SIO educates clients on the contemporary risk landscape and recommends cost-effective measures to ensure their end users have a safe and comfortable experience.

The ultimate goal is to align clients’ expectations of quality service at competitive prices with a comprehensive understanding of aviation risks. It integrates technology with human resources and constantly develops digital tools to enhance daily security operations. This combination delivers quality and trust in every service.

A compelling case study can demonstrate the company’s commitment to excellence in its approach. When SIO was still in its nascency, it won a contract with one of Mexico’s top airlines in April 2020. The company accepted the challenge despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic. It did not flinch back in delivering exceptional services to the client. More importantly, the success led to demand for services in Honduras and Costa Rica, prompting SIO to build a strategic alliance with a local company.

Ensuring client satisfaction has always been the company’s top priority. Another pillar of SIO’s success is the relationship built with its employees, where the top management maintains direct communication with every staff. The company’s approach to serving clients is the same for its employees. They are offered an “emotional salary” by providing free transportation, uniforms, bonuses and educational support, along with decent payroll and compensation. The employees also receive support in addressing their personal issues and efficiently resolving them. SIO celebrates every small milestone by declaring employee of the month to make everyone feel valued and motivated. This helps foster a happy workspace where employees can devote themselves completely to work and ensure top-notch services to clients.

The SIO team is named ‘Familia SIO’—treating employees as a part of the SIO family and supporting them in personal and professional aspects.

Starting at the thick of adversities, today, SIO leaves no stone unturned in navigating emerging risks in the field of aviation, empowering clients to enhance aerospace development and ensure security with robust measures.