Work resumes on expansion of Quito’s international airport

Work has resumed on the expansion of Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Ecuador.

Airport operator, Corporación Quiport, notes that it is funding the upgrade, which is designed to improve the passenger experience and increase the gateway’s operational capacity.

The expansion of the passenger terminal started in November 2019, but was interrupted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the recovery of passenger flow, work has been resumed in July 2024 and is expected to be completed in the last quarter of 2025.

The total investment in the project amounts to $74.2 million dollars, of which $19.1 million have already been executed and $55.1 million will be allocated over the next 18 months.

The expansion works for 2024 and 2025 will see the terminal increase in size by 25% or 17,647 square metres.

The extra space allow for the expansion of the public arrivals hall, baggage claim area, increase in the capacity of the international baggage carousels, reconfiguration of the Customs area, expansion of the duty-free shop and the baggage handling system.

It will also pave the way for the expansion of the public departure hall, passenger check-in area with 20 new counters and 12 self-check-in machines, pre-boarding lounge for 350 passengers, the creation of a bigger international departure duty-free shop and new food and beverage spaces.

On the airfield, expansion of the passenger apron by 35,000 square metres will add a parking stand for code E aircraft, two remote code C stands, a new boarding bridge and the expansion of a taxiway.

The works will generate 400 direct jobs and approximately 800 indirect jobs over a period of 17 months.

The ambitious project is being carried out by the construction company Ekron, which previously built the southern extension of the terminal in 2014 and 2015, and local contractors and labour.

“These works are part of Quiport’s master plan, which aims to constantly improve the passenger experience,” enthuses Quito CEO, Ramón Miró.

“Our commitment to the growth of Quito’s air connectivity and continuous improvement is unwavering. We are proud to invest in the future of our airport and in the comfort of our passengers. This project not only strengthens our infrastructure, but also drives the economic and social development of the region.”