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• The agreement includes matters related to cooperation in airport management, exchange of information between both companies and training to develop best practices in user and passenger service.

With the presence of Cuenca’s mayor, Marcelo Cabrera, as honorary guest and the Vice Minister of Transportation Management, Boris Palacios, Corporacion Quiport, concessionaire of Quito’s airport, and Corporación Aeroportuaria de Cuenca (Corpac) signed a cooperation agreement that would allow the sharing of information, knowledge and experience in airport management which aims to enable mutual enrichment and development of both air terminals.

During the event held this Monday at the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel, Andrew O’Brian, President and General Director of Corporacion Quiport explained that this agreement strengthens the ties of friendship and solidarity in order to create a collaborative work ecosystem that will improve the quality of the country’s airport services.

“We began this cooperation convinced that sharing tools to better manage our airports is one of the means to develop our two cities’ potential; we thank Corpac for its trust and reiterate our commitment to Cuenca and Ecuador,” said Quiport’s principal executive.

The areas of cooperation practically cover all aspects of airport management and include matters such as security, operations, maintenance, commercial development, route development, infrastructure, information systems, customer service management, environment and energy efficiency.

In turn, Carlos Jácome, Corpac’s director, highlighted that given Cuenca’s growth and development, signing this agreement— which permits collective work with Quiport’s team to be able to strengthen technical and administrative areas in order to share experiences between both air terminals— is an honor. It would not only improve the quality of services, but it would also reinforce the brotherly ties between Quito and Cuenca. “We thank those who have worked on this matter. Thank you all for this approach and for your trust in this project.”, said Jácome in closing.

Luis Carrera, Director of Civil Aviation, explained that the objective of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation is to promote aviation and that this type of agreement contributes to this goal, especially pertaining to operational safety. He highlighted, “we are convinced that all our work puts us both at the forefront of other international airports with respect to operational safety. I congratulate Quiport and Corpac for this initiative; these exercises demonstrate the importance of working with all agencies.”

José Luis Aguilar, representative of the Secretariat of Productive Development and Competitiveness of the Municipality of Quito assured that “the city is pleased with these types of agreements because they not only strengthen the ties of brotherhood between the airports, but between both cities as well. Reinforcing air traffic between the two cities is a form of reactivating the economy and promoting our efforts towards tourism. From the Municipality, we acknowledge Quiport’s leadership because its management of the airport has placed it as one of the leaders in the region and we are sure that Corpac would benefit from this experience; we applaud Quiport for its successful management, for everything it has achieved for the city and the country.”

Meanwhile, Boris Palacios, Vice Minister of Transportation Management (MTOP), highlighted that the MTOP focuses on efforts to improve citizens’ quality of life. “On a global level, a trend is emerging of city-models that encourage a network that improves air connectivity, which not only benefits airports, but also causes an impact on thousands of persons, generates jobs and promotes economic development.”

Finally, the Mayor of Cuenca, Marcelo Cabrera, stated that to the municipality of Cuenca, “signing this new agreement with Quiport is encouraging and satisfying; we are aware of Cuenca’s potential but our Mariscal La Mar airport also has certain limitations. What we have asked Quiport is to learn from its successes; we have requested its advice because Cuenca needs to migrate towards an airport with high quality standards, better services and, in the long-term, a new airport with better services for our citizens, tourists and entrepreneurs.”

With over 10 years of experience in the operation, management, and maintenance of Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport, both the old airport as well as the one located in the Tababela area, Corporacion Quiport has been internationally recognized for its management of the capital’s air terminal thanks to management that is planned and focused on the needs of the country and the city, as well as the airport’s passengers and users.

This experience will be shared with Corporación Aeroportuaria de Cuenca, so that the Mariscal La Mar International Airport strengthens its services with a view to the touristic and business potential of Azuay’s capital city.

• An airport does not merely benefit its users and passengers. It also represents an opportunity for growth for its neighboring populations. This November the Mariscal Sucre International Airport has opened one of the first stores in the region offering products 100% generated by families who live in the parishes surrounding the area.

Productive activities, development of abilities, good manufacturing practices, emerging agriculture and shared values all come together into one of the most representative social responsibility projects launched by Corporación Quiport, the concessionaire of the Quito Mariscal Sucre Airport.

Located at Quito Airport Center building across the street from the airport passenger terminal, 16 farmers and their families from Puembo, Pifo, Tababela, Yaruqui and Checa are managing and directing “Nuestra Huerta” (Our Garden), one of the first regional establishments offering local agricultural products.

Andrew O’Brian, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport, explains that this is the continuation of a project that began three years ago for purposes of combining the presence of the Quito Airport with the area´s agricultural and productive potential.

“Since opening in 2013, Quipor, in charge of managing the Quito International Airport, has focused on improving the quality of life of our neighboring populations. As such we have encouraged projects involving empowerment, production development, and links with the communities. Today we proudly open this store which represents the possibility of collaboration between an airport and the communities surrounding it”, Andrew O’Brian said on its inauguration.

Conceived as an entrepreneurial project derived from Quiport’s Social Management Plan, with the technical support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), “Nuestra Huerta” evolved towards a shared value scheme; that is, as a strategy that analyzes the social environment in which an organization performs, to renew its processes and generate profits while impacting communities positively. The first stage of “Nuestra Huerta” was focused on training plans for the residents of the area. Once they developed their capabilities their products were delivered to employees of airport companies, thus creating a productive chain. This whole process is why the presence of the representative of the IDB in Ecuador, Fernando Quevedo, was very important in the opening event.

Once the project was consolidated, “Nuestra Huerta” producers founded the community enterprise named Productora Agrícola Alpachaca Muyverde Cia. Ltda., allowing them to manage the store located inside the airport. “Since the beginning of airport construction we saw the possibility of helping our families; now that “Nuestra Huerta” is already operating our wishes have become a reality and we are confident that our products will be well received by our visitors”, Rebeca Baquero, the organization’s president, explained.

“Nuestra Huerta” is now operating and offers airport employees and users the opportunity to consume healthy products prepared according to quality standards. It also allows the families living in the vicinity of the airport the possibility of having an undertaking of their own that recognizes their abilities and their daily work.

With the valuable participation of Corporación Quiport, the 27th Airports Council International – Latin America & Caribbean (ACI-LAC) General Assembly was concluded last Thursday, November 9 in San Jose, Costa Rica. Quiport’s delegation was composed of Andrew O’Brian, President and Director General; Carlos Criado, Commercial Director; Allan Padilla, Operations Director; and Jaime Pérez, Social Responsibility Manager.

Issues of vital importance to the future of the airport industry were addressed at the Assembly including airport contribution to the development of tourism, infrastructure challenges faced by airports in the region, airport security, and how technological innovation opportunities can become solutions in improving passenger experience. Matters relating to the impact on economic development, social responsibility, and environmental protection were also discussed.

Andrew O’Brian, who also participated as panelist at the Airport CEOForum, highlighted the importance of this type of meetings. “Airport activity is one of the most dynamic in the world, and it is essential to debate and share experiences in order to better understand our role in the economic and social development of our countries and define where our efforts should be directed to adequately meet the demands of our clients, which include airlines and passengers,” said O’Brian.

In parallel with the Assembly, ACI-LAC committees meeting were held. Our team participated in the Operational Safety Committee, chaired by Allan Padilla, the Environment Committee, chaired by Jaime Pérez, and the Economic Committee, of which Carlos Criado is a member.

On October 19, 2017, the Quito International Airport inaugurated a chapel where individuals can freely exercise their faith. The chapel, located at the Quito Airport Center building in front of the passenger terminal, will be available to users and travelers circulating through its facilities.

The chapel was blessed by Ecuador’s Nuncio, Monsignor Andrés Carrascosa, the Archbishop of Quito and Monsignor Fausto Trávez. In the ceremony was also present Andrew O’Brian, President and Director General of Corporación Quiport, as well as various authorities from the Municipality.

The Virgen del Quinche del Aeropuerto de Quito Chapel will celebrate Holy Mass every Sunday, from October 29, at 12:30 p.m., and will be open daily, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. However, it holds two areas for prayer that are open 24 hours a day.

In this manner, the airport provides an adequate facility for persons who wish to pray and profess their faith.

Corporación Quiport participated in the 27th Airports Council International (ACI) Annual General Assembly, represented by Mr. Andrew O’Brian, President and CEO of the concessionaire company for the Quito International Airport. Mr. O’Brian attended the forum of airport industry CEO’s from around the world as Vice President of the Board of Directors of ACI Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC).

This session of the assembly focused on interesting matters that shape the rapid evolution of the airport industry, under the theme “Bold Leadership in a Time of Change.”

Furthermore, a series of panels and committees were held during the assembly, addressing subjects of importance for the airport industry. This year, the conference addressed subjects such as safety culture, technology and innovation, connectivity and sustainable development, customer experience and airport service quality.

Allan Padilla, Director of Operations, represented the Quito Airport at the Leading Airports Seminar on Customer Service, while Jaime Pérez, EHS & SR, participated at the World Environment Committee as a member of this body representing ACI-LAC.

At this event, the Quito airport received two significant acknowledgements in the environmental and service quality areas.

In the environmental area, ACI formalized awarding of the Reduction Level Certification within its Airport Carbon Accreditation Program (ACA), a global initiative that seeks to reduce carbon emissions from the airport industry on a global scale.

As to service quality, the Quito airport received a trophy for obtaining third place among Latin American and Caribbean region airports due to its service quality, measured through the Airport Service Quality program (ASQ).

Quiport’s participation at these important global industry events further strengthens the Quito Airport’s position as a regional leader.

• Arrayanes Country Club in Quito was the venue of the 2017 Quiport Cup, a tournament organized by the Ecuadorian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by Corporación Quiport, which sought to promote practice of this sport in the country and strengthen cooperation between Ecuador and Canada.

Quito, October 10, 2017. Approximately 93 golfers were a part of the 2017 Quiport Golf Tournament Cup that took place last Friday, October 6, at Arrayanes Country Club. Andrew O’Brian, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport, along with Allan Padilla, Director of Operations of this same company led the first category leaderboard. Meanwhile, Victor Herrera and Andrés Proaño prevailed in the second category. Among the women, Marisol Grisales and Belén Reyes took first place.

For Andrew O’Brian, CEO of Quiport—the entity that supported the tournament’s organization— this activity promotes friendship and reciprocity between both countries. The executive explained that, in addition to developing physical and intellectual abilities, the purpose of the Quiport Cup, given its social nature, was to promote the practice of a sport that focuses on reinforcing cooperation ties.

The day ended at 2:00 p.m. with lunch at the club’s restaurant, at which the winners of each category received a prize and participants were granted acknowledgments. National golf personalities such as Carla León, Enrique Rueda, and Jorge Real were present at the event. Furthermore, Canadian ambassador, Marinick Tremblay, Canadian entrepreneurs, and diplomatic officers attended the tournament.

This positive impact on the environment grants the delivery of the Certificate for Phase 2 – Reduction under the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program, an initiative of Airport Council International that is recognized by the World Bank, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Quito, October 2, 2017. During the last week of September, Airport Council International granted the Quito International Airport the Certificate for Phase 2 – Reduction under its Airport Carbon Accreditation Program (ACA)— a global initiative that seeks to reduce carbon emissions in the airport industry and significantly contribute to the efforts to mitigate climate change.

The Quito International Airport becomes the first airport of between 5 and 15 million passengers to be accredited for level 2 Reduction in the Latin-American and Caribbean region.

This is the continuation of a 4-step program consisting of mapping, reduction, optimization, and neutrality, geared towards environmental efficiency and reduction of carbon emissions. In 2015, the Council granted the Quito Airport a certification for its fulfillment of the mapping step, i.e. calculation of its environmental footprint.

This year (2017), after implementation of specific programs designed by Corporación Quiport, the concessionaire of the capital’s airport, the Reduction certificate endorses the efforts towards achieving a cleaner environment.

Andrew O’Brian, President and CEO of Quiport, explained that, since its opening in 2013, the Quito International Airport is committed to being an engine for development that will take into account the needs of society and the environment. Therefore, he accepted the carbon accreditation challenge.

“We have fulfilled levels 1 and 2 satisfactorily. Our intent is to proceed immediately to level 3, Optimization; in other words, build alliances with service provides in the airport and create a collaborative structure to reduce CO2. In the medium term, the goal is to achieve neutrality in our carbon footprint,” he said.

According to data from the Corporación Quiport Social Responsibility Program, Quito Airport’s carbon footprint went from 5,533 CO2 tons in 2014 to 4,950 CO2 tons in 2016. In other words, in two years, the airport has prevented 583 tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the environment.

The main actions to achieve this goal have to do with reductions in the use of energy. This airport terminal now has 7,700 LED lamps, out of which 90% have automatic regulation sensors. Furthermore, the landing and take-off runways are equipped with 180 lights with similar features.

Moreover, the Quito Airport has implemented a lighting schedule to take advantage of natural light and the AC water cooling equipment remains off between 10:30 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Additionally, the airport has a dehydration plant for waste water, an incinerator for waste with technology that reduces gas emissions, an air quality policy that prioritizes the use of alternative fuel, and a 70-hectare plant and wildlife conservation area.

This new milestone places the Quito Airport at the forefront of airports with environmental awareness and allows it to continue to be a leader in the region.

Quito, September 25, 2017. Corporación Quiport’s route development team, led by Business Development Director Carlos Criado, participated at World Routes 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, the team met with 16 airlines to seek greater connectivity for the Quito International Airport.

Business cases were submitted at the meetings to important airline companies including UK-based British Airways and Germany-based Condor Airlines. Andrew O’Brian, President and Director General of Corporación Quiport, noted that “participating in Routes is highly positive because we can meet face-to-face with key players in the industry and expound the potential of certain non-stop routes to Quito.”

As on past occasions, Quiport’s team was accompanied by Quito Turismo’s General Manager Verónica Sevilla, who was given an opportunity to promote the city’s tourist attractions. Joint work with authorities is key to success in negotiations.

The results of the meetings will materialize in the medium term, explained Andrew O’Brian. “In order for an airline to open a new route, up to two years may elapse from initial discussions. Airlines thoroughly study each proposal they receive because opening a new route involves substantial risk; it is therefore vital to do work in advance and submit a complete study including costs and anticipated load factors.”

Routes is the major event that brings airlines and airports together to develop greater connectivity. This year’s edition brought together 3000 delegates, 300 airlines and 700 airports from 110 countries around the world.

The Routes Americas 2018 chapter will take place in Quito, Ecuador in February 2018 and will be hosted by the city of Quito and the Quito International Airport. It will bring industry players in the Americas together.

Regarding the election of Quito as host city for Routes Americas 2018, Andrew O’Brian said that organizing the event in the Ecuadorian capital represents a great opportunity but also involves great responsibility. “Organizing Routes Americas in Quito will allow airline representatives to get first-hand knowledge of Quito’s potential as a destination and its attractions for both the tourism and the meetings and conventions segments,” he said, but added that “Quito Turismo and Quiport, as hosts, will be responsible for organizing this conference under the same standards as used for Routes events worldwide. Quito and its airport are leaders in South America and will be up to the standard set for the event.”

Quito, September 11, 2017 – Andrew O’Brian, President and CEO of CORPORACIÓN QUIPORT, was awarded the 2017 South America’s Leading Personality Award by the World Travel Awards (WTA) due to his great performance and successful administration of the Quito International Airport.

During his tenure, the capital city’s airport has obtained four consecutive awards as South America’s Leading Airport from the WTA, became the third airport that has obtained more awards in South America, and received more than a dozen prizes from the industry and the users due to the quality of the services offered.

The award was delivered on September 9 and is a special recognition granted by the WTA committee based on a survey among the major tourism stakeholders in Latin America who praised his leadership, experience and vision which contribute to the growth of tourism in the region.

Mr. O´Brian thanked the members of WTA and highlighted the pride in putting every effort and ability upon leading such a significant project for the city, the country and the region such as the Mariscal Sucre International Airport.

“This award is a commitment to continue working even harder together with my team at Corporación Quiport and with the eight thousand employees and 120 companies that operate at the Quito airport in all the technical and service areas”, O’Brian emphasized, and said that the airport’s success is due to the passion and efforts of all the workers and to a well-planned management model where investments are made in terms of the city’s dynamics and the users’ needs.

Mr. O´Brian is an internationally experienced airport leader. Currently he is the President and CEO of Corporación Quiport S.A., a consortium in charge of the construction, administration, operation and maintenance of the Quito International Airport. Before his appointment as Director General, he was Vice President and Operations Director since April 2012.

Previously he was Executive Director of Aerodom in the Dominican Republic where he successfully achieved the modernization of the country’s six international airports, and was Operations Director in Vancouver Airport Services. O’Brian has worked in several aviation and airport projects throughout the Americas, including the reactivation of COPA airlines operations in Costa Rica.

Andrew is presently the First Vice President of the Airports Council International (ACI) Latin America / Caribbean – Regional Board. He also sits on the ACI World Governing Board and the International Association of Airport Professionals (IAAE / AAAE).

He holds an MBA with a specialization in Aviation from the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University in Montreal, a Diploma in International Management from Vancouver’s Capilano University and a BA in Political Science from British Columbia’s University of Victoria in Canada.

Quito, September 11, 2017 – For the fourth consecutive time the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (MSIA) of Quito was awarded the South America´s Leading Airport prize. During a ceremony held on September 9 at the Mexican Maya Riviera Hard Rock Hotel, the cargo and passenger terminal of the Ecuadorian capital ratified its leadership in the region, having been ranked above the airports of Bogota, Brasilia, Buenos Aires, Lima, Rio de Janeiro and Santiago de Chile, also nominated in that category.

Therefore, the Quito airport positions itself among the three more award-winning airports in the history of the World Travel Awards in South America, after the Rio de Janeiro airport (8 times winner) and the Jorge Chavez Airport in Lima (five times winner). According to Andrew O’Brian, President and Director General of Corporación Quiport, concessionaire of the airport, this recognition confirms the importance of planning and managing an airport in terms of the city’s dynamic aspects and developing cooperative work focused on service to cover the demands and expectations of everybody using the MSIA and of its neighboring communities. “Our success lies in the dedication, devotion and ability of all our workers”, he added.

He also explained that the excellent results achieved by the Quito airport are due to Corporación Quiport’s approach on constantly investing in projects that make it possible to steadfastly upgrade the service. “This year we invested more than 23 million dollars in projects to improve the infrastructure and the quality of our services, and we maintain an investment plan for the medium and long term so that Quito will always have an airport that can be a true point of reference for the region”, he said.

The World Travel Awards are considered the Oscars of tourism. They are the highest quality accolades for service providers in the industry. The awards were established in 1993 to recognize and to celebrate the excellence of all the participants in this activity. The winners of the various categories are selected through open votes worldwide, where the vote of those related to tourism has twice the value.

In addition, in order to be nominated the airports are examined in terms of their contribution to local and international tourism development. In the four years of its operation, the MSIA has added nine new routes, five new airlines, seventeen additional flights and frequencies to existing routes, more than 22 million passengers have been transported, and at this time fourteen airlines connect Quito with more than 27 domestic and international destinations.

The total expenses made by tourists who arrived through the MSIA in 2016 reached US$ 817 nationwide. That figure confirms the airport’s importance to foster the tourist potential of Ecuador, Quito and the communities close to the airport that have been benefitted with new services and more jobs.

The MSIA and its concessionaire – Quiport – wish to congratulate the other Ecuadorian winners of the World Travel Awards. We are convinced that tourism is strengthened with quality transport services, and that is why we belong to a tourist ecosystem that invigorates one of the fastest growing destinations in the region.