Tag: aeropuerto quito

Today, with a special event, the 50 million passenger at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport was celebrated. The airport began its operations in the new location on February 20th, 2013.

According to estimates and statistics, within the group of passengers on the flights waiting in the international pre-boarding hall A11, the lucky one was found. Since it is impossible to determine exactly who the 50 million passenger is (hundreds of passengers enter and leave the airport simultaneously), Quiport decided to celebrate with all the passengers in the holdroomand reward them.

The celebration began with music, bugles and confetti. Curious passengers smiled at this unusual activity. As part of the surprise, the seats in that holdroom were strategically selected to hide various gifts. Passengers were invited to check under their seats, where they discoveredshopping orders to redeem at a variety of stores and services within the terminal. “I won!” was the phrase that could be heard in different parts of the place, and with laughs and surprise gestures, the winners anxiously headed to the different commercial premises.

This initiative, led by the concessionaire Quiport, provided an unforgettable experience to passengers, creating a special moment that added a unique touch to their trip.

In this regard, Ramón Miró, president and CEO of Quiport, mentioned: “We congratulate the 50 million passenger and thank all the travelers who have contributed to making Quito airport a reference point in the industry. We hope to continue sharing more milestones and successes in the future. Thank you to everyone who trusts in our airport and has consolidated it as the main entry and exit door of Ecuador!”

Currently, 17 airlines operate at Quito airport, connecting to 18 international and 8 national destinations. An average of 15,000 passengers per day and 5.4 million passengers per year are transported through the airport.

On several occasions, Mariscal Sucre has been recognized by important national and international organizations as a 5-star Airport, Best Regional Airport in South America, Best Airport Staff in South America and Airport with the most dedicated staff, Cleanest Airport in South America, Airport with the easiest trip, most pleasant airport, among others.

• With 26,466 tons, a growth of 17.3% was registered compared to 2023 Valentine’s Day, the highest since 2013.

• With 1,942 tons of cargo exported, Friday, February 2nd, was the day of the season with the highest volume. 

• The expansion of the export cargo terminal was key to enhancing operational efficiency.

2024 Valentine’s flower export season ended with very positive numbers at Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport, with a total of 26,466 metric tons of flowers sent to the world, reaching a record in the airport’s 11 years of operation.This figure corresponds to a growth of 17.3% compared to the tonnage exported in 2023, which was 22,568 metric tons.

At the Quito airport, the season began on January 18 and extended until February 9. During this season, 16 airlines operated at the Quito airport cargo with a total of 487 outbound cargo flights, a number that also constitutes a historical record for the Valentine’s season.

The peak day of exports, that is, the day in which the most freighter operations and the highest volume of flowers were registered, was Friday, February 2nd, with 1,942 metric tons sent through 31 flights, also being the day with the highest volume of exports in the entire history of Quito airport.

Throughout these 23 days, the entire logistics chain within the Mariscal Sucre airport demonstrated once again that it is prepared to manage large volumes of export cargo.

The expansion of the export cargo terminal, which grew by 2,880 square meters in the cargo entry and processing areas, as well as the growth of the maneuvering area for trucks, was one of the factors that allowed more efficient air cargo.

“I want to thank all the airlines that operated on this Valentine’s Day 2024, as well as the ramp service companies that provide all ground assistance to the operation for their commitment to the development of the country and for their great professionalism and, especially, to the companies specialized in cargo palletizing that operate at the Quito airport: Novacargo, Servipallet, Pertraly and Novasan, which invested in the expansion of the cargo terminal to offer greater logistical and operational ease,” said Ramón Miró, president and CEO of Quiport.

“The Mariscal Sucre is one of the most powerful development poles that the city and the country has. It is the main air cargo airport in Ecuador and one of the most important in Latin America, which allows Quito to have access by air to key markets around the world, that is the vision with which we are working at CorporaciónQuiport”, concluded Ramón Miró.

• Valentine’s Day is the highest cargo season at the Quito airport.

• The maneuvering area in the cargo apron as well as the palletizing area for cargo processing iwere expanded to provide a more efficient service.

• 92% of cargo transported from Quito airport is flowers.

Today the Valentine’s Day cargo season begins at the Quito airport, which will last until February 11, 2024. This period represents the most important phase of cargo operations at Quito Airport. To guarantee efficient service, significant improvements to thefacilities have been made.

Starting this season, the logistics process at the airport will be significantly optimized. Thanks to a strategic investment between companies specialized in cargo palletizing that operate at the Quito airport which include Novacargo, Servipallet, Pertraly and Novasan, the maneuvering area in the cargo apron and the processing area in the palletizers have been expanded. The expansion, which has added 2,880 square meters to the facilities, will enable much more efficient and comfortable cargo reception and processing.

With an extensive and cutting-edge infrastructure, and the operation of more than 15 cargo airlines, with flights between regular and charter, this year a growth in exported tonnage is expected for the Valentine’s season compared to the previous year, thanks to the increase in capacity offered by cargo airlines at the Quito airport.

“We maintain our commitment to the development of the air cargo industry in Ecuador. The expansions carried out and the strategic collaboration with palletizing companies are testimony of our dedication to facilitate airport cargo services in Mariscal Sucre. We are excited by the projected growth and we are confident that our airport will continue to play a fundamental role in this area,” said Ramón Miró, president and CEO ofQuiport.

At the international cargo terminal, four palletizing companies work, in charge of assembling the pallets of flower boxes according to the specifications of the aircraft in which they will be transported. These pallets are stored in cold rooms until they must be shipped to their destinations. In addition, the Mariscal Sucre airport has a logistics center where several cargo agencies carry out the consolidation processes of flowers from various producing farms.

The Quito International Airport informs citizens about the measures

that have been defined to protect the safety of passengers, users, airport personnel, facilities

and air operations, in coordination with the National Government, the General Directorate of

Civil Aviation and the Municipality of Quito.

Airport operations remain open and the measures are as follows:

• Only passengers who carry their travel documents, that is, passport or citizenship card and

air ticket or boarding pass, will be able to access the air terminal.

• Family members or other visitors will not be allowed to enter the terminal to drop off or receive

passengers.

• Crowds of people will not be allowed on the sidewalks of the passenger terminal either.

• Control and screening of passengers and luggage will be strengthened.

• Random checks will be carried out on vehicles before entering the airport.

• Passengers are requested not to leave their belongings or hand luggage unattended.

We ask citizens to collaborate with these measures and passengers are recommended to go

to the airport with more time in advance considering these additional controls. We also

recommend that passengers stay informed through official channels and confirm the status of

their flights with their airlines.

During the curfew, travelers who must travel to and from the airport can do so with their travel

documents: passport or ID and air ticket or boarding pass.

The firm Choice Cargo, General Sales Agent, commercial representative of the cargo airline Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), a world leader in cargo transportation, announced the start of operations at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito with the arrival of the first aircraft of the company. The company has established two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Fridays, operated with Boeing 777-200 aircraft with a cargo capacity of 85 tons to transport flowers especially from Quito to Miami, Liege and Amsterdam. The operation of the airline will make greater cargo transportation capacity available to exporters at a key moment such as the beginning of the Valentine’s season. Diego Íñiguez, CEO of Choice Cargo and MSC representative in Ecuador, said: “We thank MSC for allowing us to be part of this exciting journey. Together, we will offer unparalleled experiences to our customers. Today, we open a new chapter by providing innovative cargo services, connecting markets and strengthening our business relationships. “MSC will offer two flights per week, with the expectation of increasing this frequency in the near future.” Given the appreciated quality of the Ecuadorian flower in the international market, a growing need is identified to expand flight capacity, thus contributing to the development of exports.

In his intervention, Allan Padilla, Chief Operating Officer of Corporación Quiport, highlighted the constant rise of air cargo operations at the Quito International Airport. “With a record of 340 thousand metric tons transported in 2023, the airport is positioned as the main air cargo transport port in the country and occupies a prominent role in Latin America due to its annual cargo volume. “MSC Air Cargo’s initiative will provide exporters with additional cargo transport capacity, especially crucial at the start of the Valentine’s season.” In addition, he reiterated Quiport’s willingness to collaborate closely for the benefit of the productive sectors and the development of the city’s connectivity. The new operation will serve to increase the supply of capacity for the export of flowers and other products.

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.

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.