Month: September 2018

Corporación Quiport, the concessionaire of Quito’s airport services, in keeping with its promise to provide services of excellence and its commitment to foster air connectivity and economic and social development in Quito and Ecuador, has announced an expansion and improvement plan at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport for 2017-2020.

The plan involving nine projects structured around three key areas – investment, service and development – aims at improving airport processes for the benefit of passengers, users and companies requiring them.

Investment for the expansion and improvement plan amounts to US$ 90 million distributed as follows: US$ 60 million for expansion and US$ 30 million for improvements.

The expansion project – with US$ 60 million investment – is focused on extending the airport’s operating capacity considering its service standards and is in keeping with the contractual obligations under the Master Plan for Airport Development approved by the Municipality of Quito. It comprises infrastructure construction and is to be performed at four work fronts:

• Expansion of cargo platform delivered this year, which included the construction of one additional aircraft parking spot, thus improving the capacity to process imports and exports from the Mariscal Sucre Airport.
• Expansion of apron parking area for the Ground Service Equipment allowing better operation of aeronautical services. This was also completed in early 2018.
• Extension of passenger terminal by 18%. 21% enhancement of processing area, including installation of six additional self-check-in kiosks and improvement of immigration area by 34% and customs area by 13%. The departures area will be expanded by 3,200 square meters, thus resulting in 19% increased capacity of the boarding lounge, including an additional boarding gate and an additional boarding bridge.
• Expansion of commercial platform for passengers with construction of 11,215 square meters and an additional aircraft parking spot.

Quiport is additionally carrying out improvements including reconfiguration of areas to optimize the operation and to enhance the users’ experience. With a US$ 30 million investment, this plan includes five projects, three of them delivered in 2017 as follows:

• Expansion and remodeling of the international VIP lounge, with broad areas designed for working, resting, entertainment and fine eating.
• Implementation of concourse area to facilitate connections of in-transit passengers.
• Sidewalk and landscaping project, beautifying the airport with gardens, green areas thus providing a feeling of identity to visitors.

The following will be delivered by 2020:

• Reconfiguration of the departures hall by relocating the information counter to a position with better visibility at the center of the hall. Some of the shops will be relocated, resulting in an optimized use of the space. New finishings and new floors will also be placed to modernize the area.
• Reconfiguration of arrivals area to increase its capacity. A sixth baggage belt will be installed in order to optimize suitcase delivery and to provide more comfort to travelers.

At a press conference held in Quito to announce the project, Jessica Alomía, Undersecretary of Air Transport of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, said that “Quito’s airport is one of the main catalysts of development – it generates employment, tourism, trade, and this in turn is translated into many jobs and many opportunities for Ecuadorian families.”

“We want to thank the Quito airport for giving this good news to the country. These great achievements drive us to continue working for air connectivity, tourism and trade.”

For the Secretary of Productive Development and Competitiveness of the Municipality of Quito, Álvaro Maldonado, the project of the Mariscal Sucre Airport “is a model and a successful case of public-private partnership. There are very few cases of this magnitude in Latin America. I want to emphasize that this is an absolutely winning project with an interesting future. It is a case study for the region and it is indeed an excellent presentation letter for our investment attraction strategy, now complemented by the national government with a policy of economic development, that goes hand in hand with the private sector and investors.”

The General Director of Civil Aviation, Carlos Álvarez Mantilla, extended his “sincere congratulations to all the people at Quiport who today have presented a project that includes the construction of infrastructure and equipment to expand the operational capacity of the airport which will undoubtedly boost the economic, social and therefore tourism development of Quito and Ecuador.”

For his part, the president of the Association of Representatives of Airlines in Ecuador (ARLAE), Marco Subía, commented, “it is the first time in my life, in all the experience I have in aviation, that I have seen so many airlines arrive in the country. That means that something is being done correctly on behalf of the Municipality, the central government, the Directorate of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Transport, the Quito airport… something is being done well and we must continue in that fashion”.

He continued by saying that “the airlines are very happy with this news, with this growth that facilitates the operation. We have always worked hand in hand with all the authorities, the Municipality and Corporación Quiport. The airlines are very pleased with this good news. Our sincere congratulations.”

Andrew O’Brian, President and Director General of Corporación Quiport, explains that “our main objective is to develop our connectivity by strategically working hand-in-hand with municipal and national authorities to attract more airlines and to open more destinations making us the most successful public-private partnership model in Ecuador. Thanks to our work aiming at tourist promotion, Quito and Ecuador have become a hot destination. The airport expansion results in the arrival of many new flights. Quiport and the city are ready to receive the world.”

With the expansion and improvements plan approved by the Municipality of Quito, Corporación Quiport exceeds its contractual expectations and raises its service levels by investing in improvements that will enrich the passenger experience. Thus, Corporación Quiport complies with its commitment of offering first-class infrastructure that will further connectivity growth in the city and in the country.

• For five consecutive years, the air terminal has been chosen as South America’s Leading Airport at the World Travel Awards, considered the Oscars of the travel industry.
• Connectivity, expansions, adaptation of new areas, implementation of cutting-edge technology and distinction in customer service are just some of the keys to achieving a standard of excellence acknowledged by the travel industry.

After winning South America’s Leading Airport for the fifth consecutive year, Quito Airport is among the three biggest winners of World Travel Awards in South America, sharing the same number of awards with Lima Airport and only surpassed by the eight awards won by Brazil´s Río de Janeiro Airport.

At the gala ceremony for the 25th World Travel Awards (known as the Oscars of the travel industry) held on September 15 in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Quito Airport once again won this accolade thanks to the support of its users and passengers who participated in the voting process carried out between March 26 and August 5, 2018.

The key to the international recognition garnered by Quito Airport can be found in its management strategy which aims to constantly seek new opportunities to improve its services and meet the needs of passengers and the industry. “An airport is very complex, dynamic and in a state of constant change” states Andrew O’Brian, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport, the concessionaire of Quito’s airport service. “The air transport industry evolves very quickly, not only in technological advances but also regarding the efficiency of its processes and the variety of services that airports offer to passengers and users”, he adds.

Expansions, adaptation of new areas, implementation of cutting-edge technology and excellent customer service are the bases on which Quito Airport has built its reputation, and it has consolidated its position as the main gateway into the country.

“We do all this keeping in mind that we serve thousands of people each day who arrive at the airport full of expectations and emotions. Thousands of stories converge at our airport: reunions, new opportunities, the beginning or end of longed-for vacations, business deals. Our job is to ensure that each person can concentrate on their priorities while we take care of everything else. It isn’t easy, but we are on the right track”, Mr. O’Brian commented.

More than 100 institutions and companies provide services at the airport, employing more than 8,200 people. Without their commitment, we could not reach a position of leadership. To this end, Quiport constantly measures the levels of service of all processes at the airport, coordinating with all operators—airlines, government agencies, etc.—to find the most effective solutions that meet the needs of our users.

But what is Quito Airport’s contribution to the development of tourism? Since it opened in 2013, the airport has seen a significant increase in the number of destinations and airlines. This year alone saw the airport welcome AirEuropa with flights to Madrid, Spain; and GOL, a Brazilian airline that will connect Quito with Sao Paulo as of December 2018.

We are certain that tourism is strengthened by quality transport services, which is why the airport is part of a tourism ecosystem that invigorates one the fastest growing destinations in the region.

The World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel industry. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence, and the winners represent a benchmark which others aspire to follow.

Starting May 14th, the Air France network is expanding thanks to Joon, with the launch of its Quito – Paris-Charles de Gaulle route. Customers will be able to travel directly between the Ecuadorian and French capitals by Airbus A340 in the comfort of the new long-haul travel cabins.

The aircraft has capacity for 278 passengers and offers three travel classes: Business with 30 seats, Premium Economy with 21 seats and Economy with 227 seats. Three weekly flights will be offered between May 14 and October 26, 2019 during the European summer season.

Flight Schedules (local time):

AF211: departs Quito at 19:50, arrive in Paris at 13:50 the following day.

AF210: departs Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 13:10, arrive in Quito at 18:05.

Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from May 14 to October 26, 2019*.

This new offer complements KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and its daily flight between Quito – Guayaquil and Amsterdam-Schiphol by Boeing 777. With the arrival of Joon, our customers can combine routes and prices from both airlines, tailoring their journey around their preferences.

“The Air France-KLM team in Ecuador is very proud to announce the launch of the Quito-Paris route. This direct flight by Air France and operated by Joon bridges the gap between Ecuador, Europe and the world. Through the Paris-Charles de Gaulle hub our customers will be able to connect to more than 84 destinations in the Air France international network,” states Marie-Noëlle Landázuri, Ecuador Country Manager for Air France and KLM.

The Ecuadorian Minister of Tourism, Enrique Ponce De León was delighted with the news: “The launch of operations by Air France with Joon in Ecuador is a mark of the private company’s confidence in the country and confirms the strength of our tourism industry. This new Quito-Paris route will help to increase the number of visitors and adds to the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts to improve the promotion and connectivity of Ecuador across the world, opening new air routes”.

Álvaro Maldonado, Secretary for Productive Development and Competitiveness of the Municipality of Quito adds “this new destination with three direct weekly flights connects us to one of the most important and promising destinations and markets in the world. It represents more tourism, more business, more connectivity and more competitiveness. The quality of service and prestige of Air France will certainly add value to our airport and the city”.

*Subject to approval by the Directorate of Civil Aviation

Andrew O’Brian, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport, stated “for those of us at Quiport, the addition of Air France by Joon to the airlines that operate at the Mariscal Sucre Airport is a source of pride as it represents the success of our route development strategy aimed at increasing connectivity between Quito and Ecuador and important destinations worldwide, such as Paris. I would like to welcome Air France, one of the most prestigious and representative airlines in the air travel industry.”

The route that will connect Quito with Paris, the City of Light, will allow Joon’s customers to enjoy the airline’s savoir faire, that Air France special touch.

Joon, the new generation travel experience by Air France

Be carried away in Business, Joon takes care of everything
In the Business cabin, enjoy all the comforts of a real seat-bed. Your seat turns into a 2 meter-long seat-bed. The colors, fabrics and space ensure you will be totally relaxed in the Business cabin with all the comforts you require. Thanks to the fixed-shell seat, you benefit from a truly private space: welcome to your very own bubble of comfort where you will receive a welcome kit and a practical and stylish amenity kit. Enjoy our in-flight entertainment offer, with more than 1,200 hours of programs on a 15.6-inch HD touch screen, as well as noise-reducing headphones. Enjoy a complete meal with dishes designed by exceptional French chefs and let yourself be tempted by a signature cocktail concocted by the Experimental Cocktail Club3 for your aperitif and prepared by your Joon crew.

More space in Premium Economy
The Premium Economy cabin offers you a brand new seat with optimal comfort: a 133° seat recline, 99 cm of generous legroom and a 49 cm-wide seat. In your own Premium space, you benefit from specific products and services, with an amenity kit on arrival on board as well as a welcome drink. At mealtimes, your starters and desserts are inspired by those offered in the Business cabin and are accompanied by a choice of drink including champagne!

Stay on trend and connected in Economy
In the Economy cabin, you have 78 centimeters of legroom and a 118° seat recline. The seat is equipped with a latest generation touch screen and a USB plug to recharge your devices during the flight. A full meal service is also available with aperitifs, appetizers, main courts, French cheeses, dessert…

Air France-KLM Group in South America

With a new offer of 10 weekly flights from Ecuador in summer 2019, the Air France-KLM Group will offer 27 destinations in South America.

Reservations and payment at www.klm.ec

About Joon

Joon is the new generation travel experience by Air France. A trip designed for you that you can tailor according to your needs. Launched in December 2017, Joon has carried more than two million customers in Europe and worldwide from Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Its fleet consists of Airbus A320 and A321 on its medium-haul network and Airbus A340 on its long-haul network. Joon is an innovation laboratory for the Air France group, with a modular offer, in-flight catering, in-flight streaming with original content and multiple and innovative partnerships for a global travel experience. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Air France, the company will have a fleet of 28 Airbus aircraft in 2020 (18 A320/A321 and 10 A340/A350). Joon currently employs more than 500 people.