Roberta Aguirre
Mariscal Sucre International Airport, also known as Quito International Airport, is the main airport serving Quito, Ecuador. It is located about 18 kilometres (11 mi) east of Quito in the Tababela parish on the Oyambaro plain. The airport is the busiest in Ecuador and serves as a hub for Avianca Ecuador and LATAM Ecuador. It first opened in February 2013, replacing the old airport of the same name, which was located in the middle of the mountainous city and could not be expanded to accommodate larger aircraft.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Mariscal Sucre International Airport |
| IATA | UIO |
| ICAO | SEQM |
| Operator | Corporación Quiport |
| Location | Tababela parish, Oyambaro plain, about 18 km (11 mi) east of Quito |
| Year opened | 2013 |
| Area | 1,500 hectares (3,707 acres) |
| Awards | First Prize for Excellence in Gender Equity in Aviation in Latin America and the Caribbean |
| Number of terminals | 1 |
| Hotels | Wyndham Quito Airport Gran Condor |
| Eateries | Amazonia, Johnny Rockets |
| Transportation | Aeroservicios, pre-booked private transfers |
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What You'll Learn
Mariscal Sucre International Airport
The new airport was built to replace the old 53-year-old airport of the same name, which was located in the middle of a mountainous city with high wind currents and could not be expanded. The current airport is named after independence leader Antonio José de Sucre and was inaugurated on February 20, 2013. It was the first 5-star airport in the Western Hemisphere as rated by Skytrax.
The airport provides convenient access to the city of Quito, with a direct coach transfer service operated by Aeroservicios running between the town centre and the airport around the clock. However, due to the mountainous terrain, the journey can take up to an hour and a half during peak traffic. Traffic congestion and relaxed driving habits in Quito can make driving a challenging experience for visitors.
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It is 18km from Quito
Mariscal Sucre International Airport is Quito's airport. It is located in the Tababela parish, about 18 kilometres (11 mi) east of Quito. The distance from the town centre to the airport is approximately 18km, but the drive to your hotel may feel much longer. The road is mountainous, and you will cover just under 50km, which can take up to an hour and a half in peak traffic. Traffic congestion in Quito can be heavy, so consider this when planning your journey.
The airport is named after independence leader Antonio José de Sucre and is the first 5-star airport in the Western Hemisphere, rated by Skytrax. It covers 1,500 hectares (3,707 acres), which is ten times larger than the airport it replaced. The new airport opened in February 2013, replacing the 53-year-old airport of the same name. The location was chosen to expand the capacity of the city's airport, as the old airport posed risks due to its location in a mountainous city with high wind currents.
Quito's airport is one of the largest in South America, handling over five million passengers a year and serving as a hub for Avianca Ecuador and LATAM Ecuador. It was the main hub for TAME, Ecuador's flag carrier, until the airline was liquidated in 2020. The airport has a 24-hour curfew during the low season, but it is open 24 hours a day during the high travel season.
There are various transportation options available to and from the airport. A direct coach transfer is available 24 hours a day between the town centre and the airport, without any stops in between. There is also a free shuttle service operating 24 hours a day. For a more convenient option, pre-booked private transfers are available. Car rental services are also available at the airport, but driving in Quito can be challenging due to traffic congestion and relaxed traffic habits.
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It is the busiest airport in Ecuador
Mariscal Sucre International Airport (IATA: UIO, ICAO: SEQM) is the airport serving Quito, Ecuador. It is located in the Tababela parish, about 18 kilometres (11 miles) east of Quito, and is colloquially known as Tababela Airport. The airport is named after the independence leader Antonio José de Sucre.
Mariscal Sucre International Airport is the busiest airport in Ecuador. It is also one of the largest airports in South America, with over 220 flights per week. The airport serves as the main hub for Avianca Ecuador and the largest hub for LATAM Ecuador. It also served as the main hub for TAME, Ecuador's flag carrier, until the airline was liquidated in 2020.
The airport covers 1,500 hectares (3,707 acres), which is ten times larger than the airport it replaced. It was inaugurated on 20 February 2013, replacing the 53-year-old airport of the same name. The new airport features a modern terminal that can efficiently handle the increasing number of passengers. It was the first 5-star airport in the Western Hemisphere, as rated by Skytrax.
Mariscal Sucre International Airport is easily accessible, located about 40 kilometres north of Quito. It is well-connected to the city and the surrounding areas, with a large modern bus station nearby that offers connections to various destinations across Ecuador. The airport also serves as a gateway to the Galapagos Islands, with direct flights to the islands available from Quito.
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It opened in February 2013
Mariscal Sucre International Airport (IATA: UIO, ICAO: SEQM) is the airport serving Quito, Ecuador. It is located in the Tababela parish, about 18 kilometres (11 miles) east of Quito. The airport is named after the independence leader Antonio José de Sucre.
The airport opened in February 2013, replacing the old airport of the same name, which was 53 years old at the time. The new airport is ten times larger than the one it replaced, covering 1,500 hectares (3,707 acres). The location was chosen to expand the capacity of the city's airport, as the old airport was located in the middle of a mountainous city with high wind currents and could not be expanded further. The new airport is also known colloquially as Tababela Airport due to its location.
The official inauguration of the new airport was initially scheduled for October 2012 but was postponed to allow for improvements to access routes and other factors. The airport eventually commenced operations on 20 February 2013, with the first flights arriving from Guayaquil (domestic) and Lima, Peru (international) earlier that morning.
The Quito International Airport is one of the largest airports in South America, with over 220 flights per week. It is well-connected to other airports in Ecuador and offers daily global connections to cities in Europe, North America, and Latin America. The airport has a range of facilities for passengers, including lounges, showers, luggage storage, and a medical centre.
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The airport has an in-house hotel
The Mariscal Sucre International Airport, located about 18 kilometres (11 mi) east of Quito, is the main airport serving the city. It is the busiest airport in Ecuador and has been awarded the title of the first 5-star airport in the Western Hemisphere by Skytrax. With over 220 flights per week and 5 million passengers a year, it is a major hub for travel to the Galapagos Islands and other destinations in Ecuador and beyond.
The airport is located on the Oyambaro plain near the town of Tababela, and it covers 1,500 hectares (3,707 acres), which is ten times larger than the old airport that it replaced in 2013. The new location was chosen to address the limitations of the previous airport, which was situated in the middle of a mountainous city with high wind currents and could not accommodate larger aircraft or increased air traffic.
Quito's international airport offers a range of amenities and services for travellers, including car rental agencies, a medical centre, and various food outlets serving Ecuadorian cuisine. It also features an in-house hotel, the Wyndham Quito Airport Gran Condor, which has received positive reviews from guests. The hotel provides a convenient option for travellers with early departures, late arrivals, or extended layovers.
The Wyndham Quito Airport Gran Condor hotel offers a comfortable and convenient stay for guests travelling through Mariscal Sucre International Airport. The hotel is located within the airport premises, just a short walk from the terminal. It provides easy access to check-in counters, departure gates, and arrival halls, making it ideal for travellers with connecting flights or those seeking a hassle-free overnight stay near the airport.
The hotel boasts well-appointed rooms with soundproof windows, ensuring a quiet and restful environment despite the proximity to the airport. The rooms are equipped with comfortable beds, modern amenities, and blackout curtains to enhance guests' comfort during their stay. High-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, enabling guests to stay connected and facilitating remote work or entertainment needs.
The Wyndham Quito Airport Gran Condor also features a range of dining options, including a restaurant offering a variety of international and local cuisine. Guests can enjoy freshly prepared meals, including traditional Ecuadorian dishes that showcase the diverse and delectable flavours of the region. The hotel also houses a bar, providing a relaxing atmosphere for guests to unwind with a refreshing drink or a nightcap before retiring to their rooms.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport in Quito is called Mariscal Sucre International Airport and it is located about 18 kilometres (11 mi) east of Quito in the Tababela parish.
The airport is 18 kilometres away from Quito's town centre. However, due to mountainous terrain, the drive to or from the airport may be longer than expected, with the distance covered being just under 50 kilometres.
You can take a direct coach transfer between the town centre and the airport. This service is provided by Aeroservicios and runs 24 hours a day.
Quito International Airport has an in-house hotel called Wyndham Quito Airport Gran Condor. There are also car rental services provided by Thrifty, Avis, and Hertz. The airport also has a select few food outlets, including Amazonia and Johnny Rockets cafes, which are open 24 hours a day.
Traffic congestion in Quito can be heavy, so consider this when travelling to the airport, especially if you are driving. There is also a curfew in place during the low season, with the airport closing at 1 am.
