Traffic steadily rising at Quito International Airport

Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport today revealed that it has handled 1.1 million passengers since reopening for commercial flights a year ago following its temporary closure due to the global pandemic.

The Ecuadorian gateway has welcomed an average of 95,985 passengers a month over the last year – 77% lower than its pre-pandemic levels when it accommodated some  418,614 daily.

The traffic mix was roughly a 50/50 split between passengers travelling on domestic and international flights, with 163,000 passengers passing through the airport last month.

Quito’s route network is now 80% restored to pre-pandemic levels with 11 of its 17 non-stop international routes back up and running. These include direct services to Amsterdam, Atlanta, Madrid, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Miami, Mexico City, Panama, San Salvador, Bogotá and Lima.

Similarly, out of 18 international airlines that flew to Quito in 2019, 12 have returned and are operating services again.

Regarding domestic traffic, seven destinations have been restored within the country, of the nine that existed before the health crisis: Guayaquil, Baltra, San Cristóbal, Cuenca, Manta, Loja and Coca. Three airlines provide the service of domestic commercial passenger flights.

Ramón Miró, the new president and CEO of operator, Corporación Quiport, says: “A year on [from the restart] we see the fruits of our efforts. We have more and more airlines, more frequencies and more passengers.

“We continue to reinvent ourselves, adapt and, above all, fulfil our mission and vision as a company.”