Author: Rafael Orellana

• Passengers with hidden disabilities can request a Sunflower lanyard free of charge and without the need for medical documentation.
• The lanyard discreetly communicates to airport staff that the wearer may require more time, clearer explanations, or adapted treatment to meet their needs.
• More than 900 staff members have been trained to provide more conscious service, in a process that included specialized training and direct participation of people with non-visible disabilities.

Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport announced its incorporation into the international Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, an initiative aimed at improving accessibility and travel experience for people with non-visible disabilities such as autism, anxiety, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, diabetes, among others.

🌻 Why is it important and how to access the program?

In dynamic environments like an airport, people with non-visible disabilities may have special needs that are not always obvious to those providing passenger assistance. The Sunflower program is designed for these passengers who could benefit from care that considers these needs during their journey through the airport.

How does it work?

Individuals who need it may voluntarily request a sunflower lanyard, available at the information desk in the departures area.

The lanyard is provided free of charge and without the need to present medical documentation. This discreet symbol signals to airport staff that the wearer may require more time, detailed explanations, or simply more empathetic treatment. While it does not grant benefits such as priority lines nor exempts passengers from going through all processes and controls, it facilitates more conscious and adapted service to the passenger’s needs. The guideline for airport staff is simple yet powerful: “How can I assist you?”

🤝 An airport community committed

The program’s implementation has been possible thanks to the collective commitment of the entire airport community, which recognizes that continuously improving the passenger experience is a shared responsibility.

From its initial stages, the process was participatory: Quiport, as the concessionaire, promoted dialogue spaces with representatives of airport stakeholders such as airlines, security, immigration, and commercial tenants to ensure coherent, comprehensive, and sustainable implementation.

🔎 Joint diagnosis and concrete actions

As part of the development, a tour of the facilities was carried out with people with different disabilities, in collaboration with the Rett Ecuador Foundation, to identify possible opportunities for improvement in signage, infrastructure, and customer service. Input was also incorporated from the initiatives of the Metropolitan Public Airport Services Company (EPMSA), which had been working on care protocols for people with autism at security checkpoints.

In addition, Quiport staff already had prior training in sign language, further strengthening an institutional culture that is sensitive and prepared.

👥 Training with real impact

The training component was key: more than 900 people from 15 companies operating at the airport participated in specialized training sessions, led by experts, a representative from an airport experienced with Sunflower, and individuals with non-visible disabilities who shared real-life experiences and practical recommendations.

This effort adds to the continuous improvement processes led by the Passenger Experience Committee, which permanently promotes training in service quality and customer care.

🌍 An approach aligned with a long-term vision

The incorporation of the Sunflower program is not an isolated achievement. The terminal has previously been recognized with the Progressive Inclusive Seal from the Municipality of Quito and is the first in the country to obtain Level 1 Accessibility Accreditation for Airports (AEA), granted by the Airports Council International (ACI).

🗣 Statements

Ramón Miró, President and CEO of Quiport:

“One of the greatest satisfactions I take from implementing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program is witnessing that the entire airport community is genuinely committed to learning how to effectively engage with individuals with hidden disabilities. We believe that true excellence in service is rooted in empathy. We are proud to have a team that is sensitized and trained to provide real support to those living with non-visible conditions. This program not only transforms the way we serve but also the way we understand inclusion.”

Flavia Callafange, Regional Director for Latin America of Hidden Disabilities (Sunflower):

“I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for the effort and dedication you have put into the HD Sunflower project. We are very happy that Quito Airport has joined this important initiative. This is a significant step towards a more inclusive city and country. I appreciate your continued commitment and collaboration in this project.”

Isabel Maldonado, Executive Director of Rett Foundation:

“At Rett Foundation, we had the opportunity to accompany Quiport in this process, which demonstrates how companies can lead real transformations toward inclusion. The participation of people with disabilities in all spaces is key to guaranteeing their rights. We applaud and congratulate this initiative, which marks an important step toward more conscious, empathetic, and accessible care.”

🌻 A symbol that opens doors

In an airport recognized for its operational, environmental, and service excellence, inclusion today is a key pillar in the continuous improvement of passenger experience. The implementation of the Sunflower program reinforces this commitment, offering a tangible tool to make air travel a more human, empathetic, and mindful experience.

In a context where sustainability is increasingly a priority, Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport becomes the first airport in the country to receive the Punto Azul distinction, awarded by the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition (MAATE), in recognition of Corporación Quiport water management efforts within airport operations, promoting ecosystem conservation, environmental restoration, and efficient water use.

🔹 Among the main actions supporting this distinction are:

• Wastewater treatment, with 99% efficiency in removing contaminants.
• Rainwater collection and management, as a preventative measure against flooding and as a tool for adaptation to climate change.
• Water reuse in cleaning processes at the waste management center.

🌱 One of the most significant initiatives is the 17-hectare rainwater reservoir, a nature-based solution that allows for water storage and, at the same time, mitigates operational risks by reducing the presence of wildlife in critical areas, strengthening airport security.

📣 Ramón Miró, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport, stated:

“Receiving the Punto Azul award is a profound honor for us because it represents much more than an award: it is a testament to our committed and consistent environmental management at Quito International Airport. At Quiport, sustainability is a daily practice that guides every one of our decisions. Water is a vital resource that we must protect. This recognition motivates us to continue working with respect for nature and a firm commitment to the future.”

📣 María Luisa Cruz, Minister of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition

“Today we proudly celebrate that Quiport is the first company in the airport sector to receive the Punto Azul. This is, without a doubt, a milestone for the country. We congratulate Quiport and its technical and management team for achieving this distinction, which is not only an institutional award, but a concrete expression of co-responsibility between the State, the productive sector, and citizens.”

The Punto Azul recognition, valid for two years, reaffirms Quiport’s commitment to environmentally responsible management, aligned with the highest international sustainability standards in the airport industry. This distinction highlights an operating model where water conservation is not only a technical practice, but also a strategic decision.

🌍Because flying into the future also means caring for the planet.

Quiport was recognized in the IV Ranking of Entrepreneurs and Companies Committed to Sustainability in Ecuador, prepared by Metro Ecuador in collaboration with its parent company, Metro World News. This study recognizes those who promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and work in alignment with the UN 2030 Agenda.

In this edition, Quiport ranked 19th among 32 companies recognized for their commitment to sustainability and for contributing to the country’s transformation through responsible and ethical management.

The ranking was constructed from a survey of managers, representatives of the private sector, academia, international organizations, and chambers specializing in sustainability, considering companies with an annual turnover of more than $5 million in Ecuador.

“The fact that Quiport is included in this ranking alongside renowned companies in the country reaffirms our conviction that sustainability is an essential part of our direction and motivates us to continue managing an airport aligned with high standards of responsibility, excellence, and respect for the environment and the community,” said Ramón Miró, President and CEO of Quiport.

Corporación Quiport, the concessionaire of Quito’s airport, has been awarded the First Prize for Excellence in Gender Equity in Aviation in Latin America and the Caribbean, in the Sustainable Champion of Gender Equity category. This award is granted through a joint initiative of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Regional Safety Oversight Cooperation System (SRVSOP), and the EU (European Union)-Latin America and Caribbean Aviation Partnership Project II.

In this first edition of the award, 15 organizations from across the region submitted their applications, which were evaluated by a panel of five international experts from ICAO, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the SRVSOP. The jury highlighted the inspiring efforts of all the proposals, but emphasized that Quiport’s bid was comprehensive, structured, and delivered concrete, measurable results.

In the words of the committee: “Equity and inclusion are core values ​​for Quiport, supported by clear policies, a solid strategy, a safe work environment, and initiatives that actively promote female leadership and inspire future generations.”

Quiport has integrated diversity and respect as core values ​​into its organizational DNA. With the support of senior management and shareholders, and aligned with the United Nations’ SDG 5: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, we have developed a structured strategy to:

🔹Increase the presence of women in leadership positions.

🔹Implement inclusive selection processes.

🔹Provide technical training in traditionally male-dominated fields.

🔹Strengthen harassment prevention programs.

🔹Contribute to innovation and increased engagement through the exchange of experiences stemming from diversity.

“This award recognizes a path that we at Quiport have been pursuing with conviction for several years. Gender equity is a clear expression of our ESG (environment, society, and governance) management, in its social component, and is integrated into our organizational culture as an essential principle. We are excited to see that there are organizations that promote this approach in the aeronautical industry, and we are proud to see the constant work of our team recognized to build a more just, inclusive, and diverse environment,” said Ramón Miró, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport.

Furthermore, the award also recognized Quiport’s active participation in national and international forums, consolidating its role as a regional benchmark on equity issues. Through this participation, we promote equity as a cross-cutting theme, share best practices, and learn from colleagues inside and outside the industry.

With this award, Quiport consolidates its leadership in the management of environmental, social, and governance issues, not only in Ecuador but also regionally, strengthening its position as a model for real and sustainable transformation in the aeronautical industry.

Learn more here:

https://eu-lac-app.eu/project-activities/prize

🌍✈️ Celebrating progress in aviation! We are proud to announce the… | ICAO South American Regional Office

• The Airports Council International (ACI) recognized Quito Airport through the ASQ program, based on live surveys conducted with more than 1,956 travelers in 2024. 
• The surveys cover 53 questions, ranging from satisfaction with each process and service to emotions, processing times, and passenger profiles. 
• This is the fourth time that Quito Airport has won this award in the 5 to 15 million passenger category. 

Mariscal Sucre International Airport has been named Best Airport in Latin America and the Caribbean in the 5 to 15 million passenger category by the prestigious Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program of the Airports Council International (ACI), in partnership with Amadeus. This recognition, based on passenger feedback, highlights service excellence and reinforces the airport’s leadership in the region for the 2024 assessment. 

ASQ is recognized as the world’s leading benchmarking program for evaluating the passenger experience at airports. Its methodology is based on live surveys administered directly to travelers at the airport, capturing their satisfaction levels on the day of their trip. The ASQ surveys cover more than 30 key indicators of the passenger experience, offering a detailed assessment of service quality. The year 2024 was a milestone for the ASQ program, with nearly 700,000 surveys completed worldwide. 

Ramón Miró, President and CEO of Quiport, the company that operates Quito Airport, emphasized the significance of this recognition: “This award reaffirms passengers’ trust in the quality of our services and motivates us to continue innovating to raise standards of excellence in the airport industry. We are currently working on expanding the airport to offer greater capacity and more options for our travelers, always prioritizing quality and efficiency. I thank our team and the entire airport community for their dedication, effort, and commitment to providing an exceptional experience to every passenger.” 

As part of its philosophy of service excellence and continuous improvement, Corporación Quiport has led Quito Airport’s participation in the ASQ program since 2014. Over the years, Mariscal Sucre Airport has won this award four times as the Best Airport in Latin America and the Caribbean in the 5 to 15 million passenger category. 

Justin Erbacci, ACI’s Global Director General, stated: “In today’s rapidly evolving world, where passenger expectations are higher than ever, airports must continuously push the boundaries of service to stay ahead. The 2024 ASQ Awards recognize airports that create seamless and memorable experiences, transforming the entire passenger journey and shaping the future of air travel.” 

Mariscal Sucre International Airport has been distinguished by leading air transport evaluation organizations for its service quality and operational efficiency. Additionally, it has positioned itself as the main airport of the country’s air connectivity, offering modern facilities, high safety standards, and a continuous commitment to sustainability. 

Check out the details of the ASQ awards on the ACI website here: 
https://aci.aero/programs-and-services/asq/asq-awards-and-recognition/ 

Corporación Quiport, concessionaire of Quito International Airport, informs our passengers, users and the general public that, due to preventive maintenance work on the runway, air operations will be suspended on the following dates:

• Saturdays April 5th and 12th

• Saturdays May 10th, 17th and 31st

• Saturdays June 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th

• Saturdays September 6th, 13th and 20th

Closing hours will be from 02:00 to 14:00.

Saturdays have been chosen to carry out preventive maintenance work because they are the days when there are fewer air operations. No runway closures have been planned for the months of July and August so as not to affect the peak summer season. These works are essential to ensure the safety and efficiency of air operations and prevent unforeseen closures for emergency corrective maintenance.

The closure schedule has been coordinated and authorized by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC). Likewise, the airlines that operate at the airport have been notified through the respective NOTAM* issued by the DGAC, which is the official communication of universal character for those involved in the aviation activity.

Although any changes in itineraries, rescheduling or cancellations will be promptly reported by the airlines, we recommend that passengers with flights scheduled on these dates contact their airline directly for updated information. Contacts are available at: https://www.aeropuertoquito.aero/aerolineas/.

We appreciate your understanding and regret any inconvenience that these works may cause. Their completion is essential to keep the airport infrastructure in optimal conditions.

*The NOTAM published refers to the months of April, May and June. The NOTAM for September closures will be published within three months prior to the closing date as required by the regulations.

Corporación Quiport, concessionaire of the Quito airport, alerts citizens about the presence of fake profiles on social networks that use its name and that of the airport for fraudulent purposes. These deceptive accounts publish non-existent job offers or promote the supposed sale of lost or abandoned suitcases.

It has been identified that these profiles request money from interested parties under different pretexts, such as payment for trainings that according to them, guarantees a job or deposits to acquire suitcases with valuable content. To give greater credibility to their publications, the scammers create fake profiles and include comments from supposed beneficiaries.

Corporación Quiport calls on the community not to be fooled and reiterates that:

• Neither the Quito airport or Quiport sell lost or abandoned suitcases.

• They do not offer jobs through social networks or request money for hiring processes.

Since these scams are spread on social media and the perpetrators constantly create new accounts, citizens are urged to remain alert, avoid sharing personal information and report any suspicious profile on the corresponding social network.

For official information, it is recommended to consult only the communication channels of Quiport and the Quito airport:

• Facebook: Aeropuerto Internacional de Quito

• Instagram: @aeropuertouio

• X (Twitter): @AeropuertoUIO

With the purpose of promoting the entrepreneurial spirit among young people in communities near the Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Quiport, in partnership with the Junior Achievement Foundation, organized the second edition of the program La Compañía. This initiative allowed students from schools in Pifo, Tababela, Yaruquí, Checa, Ascázubi and Puembo to learn about entrepreneurship and carry out real business projects.

Over the course of four months, 66 students from six schools worked in teams to create and manage their own companies. They were guided by 19 Quiport volunteers, who gave workshops on business management in human talent, finance, customer service, marketing, business plans, sales and sustainability. The participants demonstrated their ability to operate in a competitive environment, from the conceptualization of their ideas to the commercialization of their products.

The program culminated with an event at the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel, where the students presented their companies and strategies to Quiport authorities. The awards ceremony was later held, in which their efforts were recognized in different categories:

Company of the year: Dulzura Manabita, from Tres de Diciembre Educational Unit in Checa, focused on the marketing of traditional sweets from Manabí. As winners, its members received scholarships at the ISMAC Technological University Institute and a consumption card.

Second place: Manguey JA, from Yaruquí Technical Educational Unit, whose members also received scholarships at the ISMAC Technological University Institute and a lower-value consumption card.

Special mentions:

Innovation: Quilla Nina from Ascázubi Technical School.

Best graphic image: Dulzura Manabita from Tres de Diciembre Educational Unit in Checa.

Best financial management: Manguey JA from Yaruquí Technical Educational Unit.

Best Sales Strategy: Tropical Grinch from Colegio Salazar Gómez de Pifo.

Students expressed their enthusiasm and gratitude for the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real projects, highlighting this experience as an important step towards the world of entrepreneurship.

Ramón Miró, president and CEO of Quiport, highlighted the impact of these initiatives on youth and community development: “We are proud of the students’ commitment and creativity. It is essential to continue promoting spaces where young people can develop their entrepreneurial skills and contribute to the growth of their communities.” He also thanked Junior Achievement and the Quiport team that participated as volunteers in this program.

With the aim of optimizing the passenger experience and speed up immigration processes, Corporación Quiport, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior, has implemented a biometric gate system in the immigration area for international flights. This investment by Quiport will allow Ecuadorian passengers to independently and efficiently register their travel documents, significantly reducing waiting times.

The new biometric gates are available for Ecuadorian citizens of legal age who have a biometric or electronic ID or passport. The process is simple: the passenger only has topress the Start button on the touch screen, scan the QR code on their boarding pass, select their identification document (ID or passport) and scan the document as indicated by the system so that it can identify the MRZ code. Then, the system takes a photo of the face to perform facial recognition, and if everything is correct, the doors open automatically. If any irregularity is detected, the system redirects the passenger to a counter, where immigration personnel will assist them.

In terms of efficiency, this system has managed to reduce processing times: the entire process at the new gates takes between 30 seconds and 1 minute, which represents a notable improvement compared to the 3 minutes that the conventional process took at a counter with an immigration agent.

This system will initially be available for flights with final destinations to countries in South America and Panama. To travel to Venezuela, the system only works with a passport and in the case of French Guiana it is necessary to do the immigration process at a counter.

Ramón Miró, president and CEO of Quiport, highlighted the collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior to implement biometric gates in immigration, a significant advance in improving the experience and reducing times for passengers. “Since 2023, the airport is a pioneer in Ecuador in using biometrics in immigration, with the implementation of biometric gates for arrivals and, recently, for departures.” Miró thanked everyone involved in this project and highlighted Quiport’s ongoing commitment to innovation in 2025.

For her part, Gabriela Pogo, Undersecretary of Migration, said that: “these actions demonstrate the commitment of the Ministry of the Interior to innovation, continuous improvement and promoting security in the migration process.”

The installation of biometric doors is part of a broad technological transformation project for the Quito airport, with the aim of transforming it into a benchmark for efficiency and technology. Several automatic doors with similar characteristics have already been implemented in other areas of the airport in previous years. Find out the details here: https://www.aeropuertoquito.aero/tag/biometrico/

Quiport has been distinguished with two important awards that highlight its commitment to sustainability and responsible development.

The Quito Chamber of Commerce and Oxify by Kruger awarded Quiport the SDG Leader Latam award, a recognition endorsed by prestigious international organizations such as EBC International, Basura Cero Global and iLab. This award highlights companies that implement concrete actions to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and actively contribute to sustainable development in Ecuador and the region.

In addition, in this same space, Quiport received the Ecuador Carbono Cero award, awarded by the Ministry of the Environment and the Quito Chamber of Commerce. This distinction is the result of its constant effort to quantify and reduce CO₂ emissions.

In this regard, Ramón Miró, president and CEO of Quiport, highlighted: “These recognitions motivate us to continue working on responsible and sustainable actions. They are a reflection of the efforts of our entire team and commit us to continue with our conviction that development and sustainability are two inseparable concepts, since there cannot be full development without it being sustainable.”