Airport Overview

The Mariscal Sucre International Airport (IATA code: UIO; ICAO code: SEQM), also called Tababela Airport, is the international airport of the city of Quito and the main airport of Ecuador. It was officially named in honour of Antonio José de Sucre, a hero of the Ecuadorian and Hispanic American independence. The airport is located on a plain in the eastern suburbs of the city of Quito, in the town of Tababela, 25 kilometres from the historic centre of the city. The Mariscal Sucre International airport has the largest movement of passengers in the country (48.36% in 2013), and its administration is contracted to the company Quiport until 2041.

Airport Picture(s)

The main areas of the airport are: customs office, security office, cargo area, local arrival, international arrivals.

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

For more information on airport contacts, please see the following link: 4.5 Airport Companies Contact List

Information on some aviation service providers can be found at: http://www.azfreight.com/

Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator 

The Mariscal Sucre International Airport building takes up 70 hectares of a 1,500-hectare plot. The international 38,000 m² passenger terminal was initially estimated to be used by five million passengers a year. The 7,910 m² national terminal, inaugurated in May 2015, has 10 boarding halls over two levels. The runway is 4,100 metres long, making it the longest runway in Ecuador and of any capital city in South America. The runway can receive the largest aircraft available today, including the Boeing 747 or the Airbus A380. Construction of a second runway is planned in order to meet the projected demand. The control tower is 41 m high.

The cargo terminal is 13,000 m², with 10,000 m² of warehouses and 3,000 m² of offices conducting loading activities. With 24 springs divided into 4 palletizers, the load waiting area can hold up to 24 additional trucks (48 trucks can be in the loading area at the same time). This area has sophisticated scanners and cold rooms.

Runways

This airport has one of the longest runways in Latin America at 4.1 km.

Helicopter Pad(s)

There is a small space at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport designated for use by both public and private helicopters. Helicopters and their crew are under the direction of the Dirección General de Aviación Civil.

Airport Infrastructure Details

Mariscal Sucre International Airport and Quiport Corporation have obtained the Aerodrome certificate. Certification guarantees that the airport meets the specifications issued by the Organización de Aviación Civil Internacional (OACI) and Dirección General de Aviación Civil (DGAC), regarding the facilities and their operation.

Airport Operating Details

Customs Guidance

Passengers arriving in Ecuador can bring: clothing for personal use, toiletries, medicines for personal use, and goods for professional use, among other products with their specifications. When goods exceed the amount or value in the list of personal effects (see link below), the passenger must pay the required taxes. Goods cannot exceed a total of $2,000 USD in value. If the total value is higher, the goods will go into a temporary deposit area and corresponding tax procedures will follow. The list of personal effects can be found here: https://www.aduana.gob.ec/viajeros-por-via-aerea-aeropuerto/

For more information on customs in ECUADOR, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information

Storage Facilities

WAREHOUSE: Mariscal Sucre International Airport 

The airport has 3 warehouses with capacity for 445 pallets, complying with all security standards, regulated by Dirección General de Aviación Civil (DGAC). Additionally, they offer cold storage rooms.

Airfield Costs

NAVIGATION CHARGES

The fees are controlled by Dirección General de Aviación Civil (DGAC) and paid in their offices.

FUEL SERVICES CHARGES

The storage area for aircraft fuel is a modern facility with an approximate capacity of 4,943,748 litres.

The storage system consists of 3 API 650 tanks; each one has a capacity of approximately 1,589,873 litres.

The subsidy for gasoline is widespread and is mainly designated for the automobile fleet.

CARGO TERMINAL CHARGES

The rate charges are controlled by Dirección General de Aviación Civil (DGAC) and paid through the customs agent.

AIR-BRIDGE CHARGES

Mariscal Sucre International airport has the following Air-Bridge capacity:

Security

The EPMSA directs, plans, coordinates, and controls security operations at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport, in accordance with national and international aeronautical regulations.

Their principal work is guaranteeing security in the airport through:

• AVSEC inspection of passengers and airport staff
• Inspection of checked and hand luggage
• Handling X-ray equipment
• Control in arcs metal detectors
• CCTV control