Airports In Quito, Ecuador: A Comprehensive Guide

Mariscal Sucre International Airport, also known as Quito International Airport, is the main airport in Quito, Ecuador. It is one of the two main international airports in Ecuador, the other being in Guayaquil. The airport is located on the Oyambaro plain near the town of Tababela, about 18 kilometres (11 mi) east of Quito. It serves as a base point for trips to the Galapagos Islands, with short stopovers in Guayaquil. The airport has one terminal that handles both international and domestic flights.

Airports in Quito, Ecuador

Mariscal Sucre International Airport

The new Mariscal Sucre International Airport opened in February 2013, replacing the previous airport of the same name that had served the city for 53 years. The new airport is located on the Oyambaro plain near the town of Tababela and was built to accommodate larger aircraft and increased air traffic, as the old airport was located in the middle of a mountainous city with high wind currents, making it difficult to expand and posing safety risks.

The airport has a variety of facilities for passengers, including duty-free shops, souvenir shops, and restaurants serving Ecuadorian cuisine. There are also two VIP lounges, Salon Quito and Salón Mitad del Mundo, which offer shower facilities and 24-hour access for a fee. The airport provides important services such as a medical centre and a tourist information desk, ensuring that travellers have the necessary support during their transit.

Quito International Airport's in-house hotel

Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport is one of the largest airports in South America, handling over 5 million passengers a year and serving as the main base point for trips to the Galapagos Islands. The airport has one terminal that handles both international and domestic flights, and it is located around 40km north of Quito. It is described as a modern airport that has won multiple awards.

Quito International Airport has an in-house hotel, the Wyndham Quito Airport Gran Condor, which has received positive reviews from guests. The hotel offers spacious rooms, an exceptional restaurant called Gran Cóndor, a bar, and a Health Club with a pool, gym, and spa. The Wyndham Quito Airport also provides ample meeting space for business conferences and special events. The hotel is environmentally conscious, eliminating plastic bottles, generating 40% of its energy with solar panels, operating a water treatment plant, and using kitchen ingredients from its own garden.

In addition to the in-house hotel, there are several other accommodation options near the airport. The Holiday Inn Quito Airport, located just five minutes away, offers comfortable rooms, an executive lounge with panoramic views, an outdoor pool, a pool bar, and complimentary parking. The EB Hotel Eurobuilding Airport Quito, located in Tababela, features free WiFi, air-conditioned rooms, and comfortable beds. San Jose De Puembo Quito Airport is another nearby option, situated just a 15-minute drive from the airport and offering indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

For those seeking a place to relax without committing to an overnight stay, the airport has two VIP lounges: Salon Quito and Salón Mitad del Mundo. Salon Quito, located in the Domestic Departures area, charges USD 19 for access, while Salón Mitad del Mundo, located in the International Departures area and offering shower facilities, costs USD 31. Both lounges offer 24-hour access and free entry for holders of an internationally-issued Diners Club International card.

Tourist Info Desk

Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) is Ecuador's premier aviation hub, located about 18km (11 miles) east of Quito. The airport has a dedicated Tourist Info Desk located right outside the Arrivals Hall, with another desk in the public section of the Departure Hall. The airport is open 24 hours a day during the high travel season, with a 1 am curfew during the low season.

The airport has a good range of facilities, including a 24-hour medical centre, several food outlets, and two VIP lounges. There are also three airport lounges that economy class passengers can pay to enter. Free Wi-Fi is available near the gates. The airport has an in-house hotel, the Wyndham Quito Airport Gran Condor, and there are several other nearby hotels, including the Quito Airport Suites, which offers day rates.

If you need to exchange currency, there is a Global Exchange currency booth in the international arrivals and departures areas. For transportation to and from the airport, there is a shuttle bus service, Aeroservicios, that operates 24/7, and there are several car rental companies located in the public area of the Arrivals Hall.

Quito International Airport is the main base point for trips to the Galapagos Islands, with many flights also connecting to Guayaquil. If you are travelling to the Galapagos, you will need to purchase a transit control card for $20 before check-in, and you may also be asked to provide proof of a return flight ticket and accommodation reservation. Upon arrival at the Galapagos, you will need to pay a $100 national park entrance fee before leaving the airport.

Domestic and international flights

Quito, Ecuador's capital, is served by the Mariscal Sucre International Airport, also known as Quito International Airport. It is located around 40km north of Quito and is easily accessible. The airport is modern, having won multiple awards, and is one of the largest in South America, handling over 220 flights per week and serving more than five million passengers annually. It is the main base point for trips to the Galapagos Islands, with short stopovers in Guayaquil.

The airport has a unique and peaceful atmosphere, with exclusive brands and shops offering clothing, technology, watches, and souvenirs at competitive prices. There are a few Attenza duty-free outlets and dedicated souvenir shops open 24 hours for international passengers. The airport also has a few dining options, with the Amazonia and Johnny Rockets cafes being the most popular.

For those seeking a place to relax, the airport offers two VIP lounges: Salon Quito, located airside in Domestic Departures, and Salón Mitad del Mundo, located airside in International Departures. Both lounges are open 24 hours and offer different amenities, with fees payable at the door or free entry for holders of an internationally-issued Diners Club International card.

Quito International Airport handles both international and domestic flights from a single terminal, with separate sections for each. It serves as a hub for domestic flights within Ecuador, with short flight times due to the small size of the country. For example, a flight from Quito to Guayaquil takes around 30 minutes, while a flight to Coca Airport to visit Yasuni National Park takes about half an hour.

Airlines that fly to Quito Airport

Mariscal Sucre International Airport, also known as Quito International Airport, is one of the two main international airports in Ecuador. It is located around 40km north of Quito and is easily accessible. The airport has won multiple awards and is considered very modern, despite being 30% smaller than Guayaquil's airport. During the high season, the airport is open 24 hours a day, while a 1 am curfew is in place during the low season.

Quito International Airport is served by several airlines, offering both international and domestic flights. The airport has separate sections for international and domestic flights, with the former being significantly smaller. Here is a list of airlines that operate flights to and from Quito International Airport:

• Avianca (serving New York City, Buenos Aires, Bogotá, Medellín, Baltra Island, Cuenca, Guayaquil, and San Salvador)
• Iberia (offering year-round flights from Madrid)
• KLM (offering seasonal flights from Amsterdam)
• American Airlines (with year-round flights from Miami)
• Delta (providing year-round flights from Atlanta)
• LATAM (operating flights from Miami and Lima)
• United Airlines (with flights from Houston)
• Copa Airlines (offering year-round flights from Panama City)
• Euroairlines (serving Punta Cana, Panama City, and Lima)
• Air Europa (with seasonal flights from Madrid)
• Aeroregional (operating flights from Balboa and Cali)
• Arajet (serving Punta Cana)
• JetSmart (offering flights from Lima)

These airlines provide convenient connections to various destinations, including the United States, Europe, and Latin America. It is worth noting that Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the only city in the country with direct flights to Quito, operated by Avianca.

Frequently asked questions