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The Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito closed 2023 with figures and amanagement level that evidence the recovery of air transport service, after three years in which, Quiport and the entire airport community, worked to overcome the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic that began in 2020 which represented the largest crisis in the history of air transport on a global scale.

Passenger traffic in 2023 reached 5.4 million passengers, exceeding the 5 million passengers in 2019, the reference year before the Covid-19 pandemic. 15 passenger airlines serve 18 direct international destinations and 8 domestic destinations, maintaining Quito as the best-connected city in Ecuador.

In 2022, total passenger traffic reached 4.3 million, still suffering the effects of the pandemic.

In addition, in 2023 four new international direct routes were opened to Medellín, New York, Cancún and Orlando, expanding the offer of non-stop destinations from Quito. Similarly, there was also an increase in capacity either with more frequencies or using larger aircraft on already established routes.

The performance of connectivity growth is a demonstration of the confidence of the airlines in the city and in the management potential of Quiport at the Mariscal Sucre airport. This important growth would not have been possible without the joint work between the Metropolitan Public Airport Services Company (EPMSA), the Ministries of Tourism and Transportation and Public Works, the airlines, the Directorate of Civil Aviation and Quiport as a concessionaire, offering favorable conditions so the new routes can be sustainable from the beginning of their operation.

Air cargo maintains its growth trend

In air cargo, Quito airport broke its historical record. 340 thousand metric tons of export, import and national cargo were transported in 2023, exceeding the 243 thousand metric tons in 2019 and 289 thousand metric tons in 2022. Regarding exports, 282 thousand metric tons left from the Quito airport. 92% corresponds to flowers, the main export product by air.

“The teamwork that was deployed in 2023 by Quiport and the entire airport community has been the key to the recovery of passenger traffic and the growth of cargo handled at the Quito airport. If we have learned something good from the crisis caused by Covid, it has been to develop the ability to reinvent ourselves and adapt to circumstances in order to find new solutions of doing things in a good way and as a team,” explained Ramón Miró, president and general director. of Quiport Corporation.

Technological transformation and infrastructure improvements

The results achieved in the management of the Quito airport are complemented by the execution of improvement works in the facilities and a technological transformation project aimed at enhancing efficiency, safety and traveler experience.

In terms of technology, the Mariscal Sucre airport became the first in the country to implement biometrics in airport processes. The project incorporates biometric systems for immigration control in international arrivals thanks to a public-private cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior. It also includes boarding on Delta airline flights to the United States, directly connecting the airline’s databases with the information from Customs and Border Protection of the United States, being the first airport in Latin America to incorporate this technology. And finally, automatic doors for access to security filters, facilitating the control process carried out by EPMSA.

In terms of facilities improvements, 3,260 square meters of ceramic were replaced with granite in the airline check-in areas, entry corridors to security filters and the departure migration room. Added to this are projects to remodel the security filter area and the reopening of the children’s play area in the national pre-boarding area.

Also in 2023, we began expanding the domestic VIP lounge to double its capacity in order to maintain the quality standard in service to users of this space.

Awards

The above-mentioned results and the management deployed this year did not go unnoticed by our passengers and the air transport industry. Quiport and the Quito international airport received more than 15 national and international awardss and certifications, including the following:

•​Best Regional Airport in South America, Cleanest Airport and Best Airport Staff, by Skytrax’s World Airport Awards program.

•​Best Airport in Latin America and the Caribbean in the category of 5 to 15 million annual passengers, Cleanest Airport, Most Pleasant Airport and Most Dedicated Staff, by the Airport Service Quality program of the Airport Council International.

•​Level 5 – the highest level in the Airports Council International Passenger Experience Certification program. Only the airports in Incheon (South Korea) and Quito (Ecuador) have reached level 5.

•Leading Airport in South America by World Travel Awards.

•​Several awards and certifications in the environmental and social responsibility dimensions.

“All these management milestones ratify the leadership of Quiport and the Mariscal Sucre International Airport on a national, regional and global scale, and at the same time, allow the Quito airport to be projected into the future to overcome new challenges and achieve increasingly higher goals in connectivity, passenger service, safety, efficiency and contribution to development within a sustainable management framework. Great things await us in the future. 2024 will be a year in which we will have even more positive news for the airport, the city and the country,” concluded Ramón Miró.

The Mariscal Sucre International Airport becomes the first airport in Ecuador to implement automated solutions in airport processes. The project incorporates biometric systems for immigration control in international arrivals and boarding on Delta airline flights to the United States. It also includes automatic doors for access to security filters. This initiative is part of a technological transformation project at the Quito airport, aimed at enhancing efficiency, security and traveler experience.

Biometric doors in immigration arrival control.

Passengers with an Ecuadorian biometric passport (with chip) and who are over 18 years old can now use one of the 5 biometric doors that have been installed to carry out this process in a personal and automated way, which reduces service times from 1 minute 30 seconds to 45 seconds per person.

How does it work?

If eligible, passengers must approach to the biometric gate, scan their boarding pass and passport on the scanning screen, wait for data confirmation, and position for facial recognition. If everything is in order, the doors will open automatically, allowing the passenger to continue through the airport.

Since this implementation began in the testing phase on August 14, more than 11,000 passengers have taken advantage of these biometric doors, significantly improving waiting times.

Biometric doors for boarding on Delta flights to the United States

Two biometric gates, located in pre-boarding A10 and A12 gates, have transformed the boarding process for direct flights to the United States. This innovative system, initially operational only for Delta flights, uses advanced facial recognition technology that connects with the airline’s screening systems and links directly to the United States Customs and Border Protection. In this way, passengers only have to stand in front of the screen and, once facial recognition and data verification have been carried out, the door opens automatically to board the plane.

How does it work?

At boarding time, passengers approach to the biometric gate without assistance, avoiding the traditional scanning of the boarding pass and passport. Within seconds, facial recognition is complete, and the system instantly integrates with the airline and CBP system to verify passenger information. With successful verification and if there are no impediments, the door opens for the passenger to access the plane.

Access doors to the security filter area

The installation of automatic doors for access to security filters allows instant verification of the passenger’s boarding pass to speed up the process and go directly to the filters.

Ramón Miró, president and CEO of Quiport, the concessionaire company of the Quito airport, mentioned: “The implementation of biometric gates at the Quito airport is an innovation that automates three essential airport processes. “We are proud to be pioneers in the adoption of this cutting-edge technology in Ecuador, which reinforces our commitment of providing an excellent experience to our passengers.”

The children’s area, located next to domestic pre-boarding area at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport passenger terminal, reopens its doors for the litter travelers, now with a renewed image after its closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Aware of the importance to provide a safe and fun space for children, CorporaciónQuiport, the company in charge of managing the Quito airport, has decided to renew this area. The new design aims to create a magical and educational environment, inspired by the biodiversity and nature of Ecuador, without neglecting the security that this type of spaces must always maintain.

The children’s area has been carefully designed to offer little travelers the opportunity to explore and connect in a playful and sensory way with the natural environment. Various elements and textures that stimulate touch have been incorporated, imagination and learning. In addition, pieces-counting games that promote the development of mathematical skills have been installed, as well as climbing structures, tunnels and slides to encourage physical activity, contributing to the comprehensive development of children.

One of the novelties in this design is the inclusion of a small quiet space with dim lighting, designed especially for those children who prefer to enjoy a more relaxed and independent environment. It is a hut with comfortable seats, a space that offers moments of tranquility and rest within the play area.

The reopening and remodeling of this area for children demonstrates Quiport’scommitment to provide a complete and satisfactory travel experience for all passengers, including the little ones. Now, children will be able to enjoy a safe, fun and educational space while waiting for their flight, creating unforgettable memories from the beginning of their trip.

We celebrate a decade of extraordinary contributions by Faunaetus in wildlife management at the Quito airport, as well as in the harmonious coexistence between the airport operation and wildlife.

We remember the arrival of Faunaetus in 2013, when the operation of the new Quito International airport began and the need to work responsibly with the surrounding fauna. We came from an airport in an urban area to one located in a totally different environment in the middle of terrestrial fauna and birds. Due to this, the best and most effective method to control the fauna was carefully analyzed according to the kind of animals that we would find in the airport area and its surroundings.

“Fortunately, among other specialized teams that applied, we met Faunaetus, the company that best suited the needs, with a team of four highly qualified people,” says Gabriela Landázuri, EHS manager of Quiport, who participated in the design of the fauna control model. Ruth Muñiz, who came from Spain and has a PhD in Biology, and an expert in birds of prey, Paúl Tufiño who has a master’s degree in Biology, and two falconers, one of them a biologist and the other a zootechnician, formed the ideal team to begin this delicate task and carry out the corresponding analyzes to adapt their methods to the needs of the airport. Thus, it was decided that the best alternative was to use falconry techniques, together with other activities to reduce the risk of fauna in airport operations.

At the beginning, Faunaetus brought 2 saker falcons and 6 Harris eagles from Germany, along with a border collie dog from Colombia. These animals, after being trained in musculature and adaptability to the environment, began their service together with a labrador dog that was in the country. In just two months, Faunaetus managed to implement a complete service that met the wildlife control objectives in the airport.

Birds of prey make flights to mark territory and prevent other species of birds from approaching areas where they represent a risk for the operation of aircraft, while dogs are in charge of turtle doves and other birds that perch on the ground, as well as terrestrial fauna that may approach sensitive areas of the airport. Over time, more birds and dogs were included in the team.

Through exhaustive analysis and practical experiences, Faunaetus and the Quiport EHS Department managed to change the initial objective of fauna control to more sustainable management. It was identified that certain species of birds do not represent a risk to airport operations and, therefore, measures were implemented to allow their permanence at the airport, of course, with regular controls and monitoring.

This initiative has led to a respectful coexistence between birds and airport operations, a unique achievement in the industry where it is generally sought to avoid the presence of birds in the vicinity of airports as they represent a risk in the operation.

Currently, the Quito airport has a team of 6 specialists who manage the fauna with the help of 10 Harris eagles, 3 peregrine falcons, 2 saker falcons and 4 border collie dogs, all contributing effectively to security and safety. responsible management of fauna in our environment.

We congratulate and appreciate the service and progress that Faunaetus has had during these 10 years!

Nuestra Huerta, the emblematic shared value program that Corporación Quiport develops together with the communities neighboring the Mariscal Sucre International Airport, celebrated ten years since it began in November 2013. Nuestra Huerta integrates small agricultural producers from the area surrounding the operation airport in a community marketing chain in which airport collaborators and users participate, consuming local production.

In celebration of the tenth anniversary of the project, Ramón Miró, president and CEO of Quiport, explained the driving philosophy behind this project and all the management of sustainability in the company: “we seek to be faithful to our purpose, we do it good because we value life. We value the life and quality of life of the people who live in the communities, who can improve their income and progress. But we also value the lives of our collaborators and visitors, who consume natural and healthy products in Nuestra Huerta.”

80 community producers and their families participate in Nuestra Huerta and it has a positive impact on their economy, since their income has improved significantly. 400 airport employees regularly purchase products from this entrepreneurship – seasonal fruits, bakery products, honey, eggs and ready-to-eat products-.

Sustainability involves the notion of allowing orderly development that benefits everyone and benefits our activity; that is the spirit with which this shared value project was born around the Quito airport.

Designed as an entrepreneurial project derived from the Quiport Social Management Plan; With the technical support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Nuestra Huerta evolved into a shared value scheme, that is, as a strategy that analyzes the social environment in which an organization operates, to renew its processes and generate profits impacting positively to communities at the same time.

The first stage of Nuestra Huerta was focused on training plans for the residents of the area, along with the consolidation of the internal market at the airport; Once the potential was developed, these products began to be marketed among the employees who are part of the companies that operate at the airport, thus creating a productive chain.

In 2017 Nuestra Huerta opened its physical store at the Quito airport, next to the Quiport offices, starting a new stage of the project. With the project already consolidated, Nuestra Huerta producers formed the community company Productora Agrícola Alpachaca Muyuverde CIA. Ltda. which allows them to manage the store located inside the airport.

In this way, Nuestra Huerta’s customer base went from airport collaborators to passengers, users and visitors. This growth in the customer base also allowed us to expand the product offering, from fruits, vegetables and bakery products, to also offering products for immediate consumption such as chopped fruit, yogurt with granola, healthy snacks, empanadas, bolas de verde, mote con chicharrón and many more, all coming from the airport’s area of ​​influence.

An important milestone was the participation of teachers and students from the Agronomy Engineering program at the San Francisco University of Quito, who carried out very important training and advisory work with the producers of Nuestra Huerta on topics such as the management of farming techniques. cultivation, improvement of disease and pest control, and development of new varieties.

The celebration of the tenth anniversary of Nuestra Huerta, held in the International VIP Lounge at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport, was a great opportunity to share more details of the project with organizations, people and media that work on sustainability issues.

• The airline JetSMART began selling tickets this November 21^st to fly the routeQuito-Lima starting March 6, 2024, thus establishing direct non-stop flights between the two countries.

This morning the arrival of JetSMART Airlines, the prominent ultra-low-cost airline, was officially announced. It will begin operations on the Quito-Lima route from March 2024, with the option to purchase tickets starting November 21, 2023.

The airline will operate the new route three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, using the new generation of Airbus A320 aircraft, an ideal model for this type of route.

JetSMART, part of Indigo Partners, a private fund with more than two decades of success in creating ultra-low-cost airlines on a global scale, is present in Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru and now, Ecuador. They arrived with a clear vision of development and expansion in the airline sector, committed to offering ultra-low-cost flights on new aircraft.

Ramón Miró, president and CEO of Quiport, highlighted: “For some time we have been looking for an airline with the characteristics and successful track record of JetSMARTto join the Mariscal Sucre airport’s connectivity offering and today we are happy to officially hear the starting ticket sales announcement and future start of operation. Relations between Peru and Ecuador still have enormous potential to explore in business, tourism, and culture, and I am sure that the operation of JetSMART, with an ultra-low-cost model, will boost the growth of that exchange and will be an important catalyst. to strengthen relations between these two brother peoples.”

JetSMART has been recognized by Skytrax Worldwide Awards as the Best low-cost airline in South America in 2021 and 2023, thanks to its service, commitment to safety, and the accessibility of its fares, which generate tangible benefits for passengers.

• With the aim of enhancing its point-to-point connectivity, the airline reinforces its direct connectivity offer from Ecuador to North America.
• With the launch of these operations for the high season at the end of the year, Avianca customers will have around 16 routes available, in the most complete network in Ecuador.

Starting yesterday, October 29, visiting and enjoying the happiest place in the world in Florida is just one flight away from the Ecuadorian capital, thanks to the operations start of the new direct Avianca Quito-Orlando route that offers 2 weekly frequencies and more than 1,400 seats available per month on an Airbus A320 aircraft. With this new route, the fourth inaugurated this year, Avianca reaffirms its commitment to being the airline that provides the greatest non-stop connectivity to Ecuadorians.

The new destination joins Avianca’s network of 16 international routes that connect Ecuador with the world. “We remain committed to the connectivity of our country with the United States and to our customers so they can enjoy more destinations. We are the first airline to offer this non-stop route to Ecuadorians and without a doubt, we have the best option to fly by customizing each trip,” highlighted Juan Francisco Ortiz, Avianca’sCountry Officer for Ecuador.

Avianca’s itinerary is this:

Flight	Route	Departure time	Arrival time	Frequencies
AV7398	Quito-Orlando	07:35	13:05	Wednesdays and Sundays
AV7399	Orlando-Quito	14:30	18:00	Wednesdays and Sundays

The Minister of Tourism, Niels Olsen, assured that this new route strengthens connectivity with the United States, indicating that by the end of 2023 it is expected to have recovered 100% of international connectivity. “Our skies are increasingly competitive and attractive to fly, so we will continue working so that Ecuador continues to be connected by air to the world.”

“The teamwork between the Government of Ecuador and commercial airlines generates a great impact on international air connectivity. Our Open Skies policy has allowed us to increase international routes and frequencies with the United States, thus providing more comfort to national and foreign passengers. We congratulate Avianca for this new direct route to Orlando, one of the destinations most frequented by Ecuadorian tourists,” commented César Rohon, Minister of Transportation and Public Works.

“Orlando is one of the most important family entertainment hubs worldwide and one of the favorite destinations for Ecuadorians. Avianca makes a new commitment to a direct destination from Quito and we are sure that the fruits will begin to arrive soon. Thank you Avianca for uniting two magical destinations, each one in its own way, each onewith spectacular experiences to discover. I hope that this new route also serves to attract more tourism to our city,” said Ramón Miró CEO of Quiport.

Currently, Avianca has direct international flights from Quito to Bogotá, San Salvador, San José, Buenos Aires, Medellín, New York and now Orlando. From Guayaquil to Bogotá, San Salvador and New York. And, with the domestic operation it connects the cities of Quito, Guayaquil, San Cristóbal, Baltra, Cuenca and Manta.

Tickets are now on sale at MY App avianca, avianca.com, physical points of sale, and through travel agencies.

The Ecuadorian Corporation for Social Responsibility & Sustainability (CERES), recognized as the most important network of committed organizations that promote social responsibility and sustainability in Ecuador, awarded Corporación Quiport the ESR Distinction (Socially Responsible Enterprise) for its outstanding commitment to social responsibility business and sustainable development in Ecuador. Quiport is part of a 55-companies group that received the distinction in a ceremony held on September 28.

To obtain the ESR distinction, Corporación Quiport passed a rigorous qualitative and quantitative evaluation process in various areas that included the management of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), business ethics, quality of life in the company, links with the community and preservation of the environment. In addition, Quiport’s focus on an economic, social and environmental vision within its policies and programs was recognized, beyond legal obligations, to meet the expectations of its interest groups.

“Being part of this select group of 55 companies recognized as socially responsible in Ecuador is a significant achievement for Corporación Quiport, and an impulse to continue strengthening our business practices aimed at generating a positive social impact, minimizing our environmental impact and maintaining high standards of quality,transparency and good governance,” commented Ramón Miró, president and general director of Corporación Quiport.

The ESR Distinction is an initiative of the CEMEFI (Mexican Center for Philanthropy) that has been awarded in Mexico for more than 20 years and in collaboration with CERES, has been awarded for the third consecutive year in Ecuador. This is the first time that Corporación Quiport participates in this dynamic of self-knowledge and institutional improvement.

With an avant-garde, friendly and functional design, the new Quito’s Mariscal Sucre airport website promises to improve the experience of users and passengers.

One of the characteristics of the new website is its intuitive and easy navigation. Users will quickly find essential information for their trip such as flight schedules, contacts, tourism, information about paperwork and airport procedures, and will also have the option to check-in with any airline prior to the flight.

In addition to features for efficient flight search, the new website is designed to facilitate and enhance travelers’ airport experience by providing a convenient and easy start to travel.

At www.aeropuertoquito.aero, passengers and users will be able to start their travel experience even before arriving at the airport with information on transportation, services, shops, restaurants, stores that sell duty-free products, promotions, and more.

The responsive design adapts to different devices, allowing for an optimal experience on both desktop and mobile devices, optimizing information search time.
While its modern and clean appearance shows extensive photographs that suggest the experience that passengers will live in each area and service provided at the country’s main airport.

In terms of security, the new airport website implements data protection protocols to ensure the protection of passengers’ personal information. Regarding user navigation, it uses cookie management protocols, which allow offering a personalized service to the user, providing an experience more adapted to their preferences and needs.

• With the launch of this new operation, the company will strengthen its presence in Ecuador and offer greater connectivity between South America and North America.
• With two weekly frequencies from Quito to Los Angeles, Avianca Cargo will favor the floriculture sector by diversifying the gateway for this product to the United States.
• The launch of this new operation took place at the International Cargo Terminal of Quito’s Mariscal Sucre Airport, in the company of the Vice Ministry of Transportation Services and Public Works, Quiport and Expoflores.

In response to the growth of the air cargo sector and its commitment to the development of the Ecuadorian market, Avianca Cargo announced the expansion of its capacity with the inauguration of its new cargo destination: Los Angeles.

With two frequencies a week between Quito and Los Angeles, Avianca Cargo will strengthen its presence in the region and provide greater connectivity between the two cities, operating the Quito – Bogotá – Los Angeles route, in order to increase the number of tons transported to North America which currently represent 80% of the weekly tons exported by the company from Ecuador.

In the same way, it will allow it to diversify the ports of entry of flowers to North America, adding this destination to Miami as an already existing point and through which it sent nearly 18,000 tons in around 300 flights operated from Ecuador and Colombia in the recent season of Valentine’s Day.

“At Avianca Cargo we continue to connect the South American markets with the world. Now with a second point of entry to the USA and connections via Los Angeles. With this cargo inauguration, in addition to delivering a more robust service proposal to our customers, we will continue promoting the competitiveness of the flower industry, since 75% of the cargo we export from Ecuador, under the highest quality standards and on the required times, corresponds to flowers grown by Ecuadorian hands,” said Juan Cruz Correa, Vice President of Sales for Avianca Cargo.

With the CEIV Fresh certification granted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the award as the airline of America with Logistics Excellence in perishable air cargo at the STAT Awards, Avianca Cargo guarantees the rigorous handling of shipments sensitive to time and temperature , like flowers and other products such as fruits and fish, which represent the other 20% of the cargo exported from Ecuador.

José Luis Aguilar, Vice Minister of Transportation Services and Public Works, stated, “the joint work between the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works and commercial airlines brings good results. Our commitment is to improve the air transport conditions to strengthen the commercial and productive development of our country. We congratulate all the efforts of Avianca Cargo for the opening of its new cargo route from Quito to Los Angeles, which will boost the revitalization of the country’s productivity. They always have our support.”

Ramón Miró, president and CEO of Corporación Quiport, congratulated the airline for its decision and thanked them for the trust placed in the airport, also adding: “The air cargo operation at the Quito International Airport has established itself as the most big in the country. With 290,000 metric tons transported in 2022, today we are the main port for air cargo transportation in Ecuador and we occupy an important place in Latin America by annual cargo volume. This has turned the Quito airport into an increasingly outstanding development pole, promoting not only tourism, but also productive activities oriented towards exports, especially flowers, but also fruit and other products,” he concluded.

As part of this growth plan and with around 10 weekly average frequencies, the company expects to increase the cargo exported to Los Angeles.