Airport Overview
Mariscal La Mar International Airport (IATA code: CUE, ICAO code: SECU), also called Mariscal Lamar Airport or Cuenca Airport, is considered a national cross-border terminal located within the urban perimeter of the city of Cuenca, providing its services to the city of Cuenca, Quito and Guayaquil in Ecuador. Local flights take 35 minutes from Quito and 20 minutes from Guayaquil.
Currently, and due to the unexpected growth of the city and its progressive expansion, the airport has been surrounded by industrial and residential areas, which produces tension between the neighbors and the airport entities, due to the constant discomfort due to the noise generated by the planes at the airport. take off and landing. Furthermore, expansions are made impossible due to geography and the surrounding populations; This puts entities in a serious dilemma, since the airport and its runways need to be expanded again due to their air traffic.
The airport has carried out several works that have allowed it to maintain its operations safely and up to date with current aeronautical trends. For example, new satellite and GPS landing procedures have been implemented in approach systems that allow more environmentally friendly operations with lower visibility. It also has an ILS landing system, PAPI and runway lights.
Master Plan and International Airport Certification
In 2022, the Municipality of Cuenca carried out the comprehensive rehabilitation of the runway and movement area of the Mariscal La Mar airport, as well as the repowering and construction of a new drainage system; the reconstruction of electrical circuits, the change to LED lights and the horizontal signage currently in use (The current landing assistance system (ILS) was installed in 2002, which allowed the airport to extend its hours and increase the number of landings in bad weather). These improvements, according to CORPAC, are part of a certification process that this aerodrome seeks and is included in the strategic, institutional and master plans.
Other mandatory improvements are the implementation of immigration and customs measures for daily flight control, which would currently be limited by the physical spaces of the airport.
Incentives
Corpac considers that despite the current geographical and demographic limitations, the Cuenca Airport is an interesting option for companies that operate smaller aircraft (e.g. Dash8 20,000 kg, Fokker F28 30,000 kg), aircrafts that require a shorter runway length and parking platform In this perspective, the government of Ecuador grants to terminals not commissioned in private concession, among others:
- A 40% fuel subsidy for international airlines and,
- The reduction of the EcoDelta* rate from US$50 to US$5
(*) The Ecodelta rate, of USD 50, is charged on international tickets from Ecuador to abroad. On the other hand, the Ecuador Tourist Power tax is charged on international tickets from abroad to Ecuador.
About International Airport Certification
Within the framework of the airport's development and certification master plan, three specific points should be highlighted at this time:
- Anti-narcotics and migration units are installed at the Mariscal La Mar International Airport. https://www.ministeriodelinterior.gob.ec/aeropuerto-de-cuenca-se-internacionaliza-e-implementa-unidades-de-antinarcoticos-y- migration/ September 14, 2023
- However, Corpac recognizes that, if certification is obtained, the operation of international airlines in the city will be conditioned by three limitations that the airport has. The first is the size of the track, just 1,900 meters long. The second consists of the limited space on both sides of the track of just 50 and 80 meters. Ecuadorian regulations say that airfields must have 140 meters of space on the sides of the runway. Third, the location of the air terminal in a densely populated area and in the future the impossibility of expanding it due to the highly limiting mountainous geography of the area.
- The DGAC Ecuador, at the time of publication of this document, considers the Mariscal La Mar Airport, Cuenca as a National Aerodrome.
|
Airport Location and Contact |
|
|---|---|
|
Country |
Ecuador |
|
Province or District |
Azuay |
|
Nearest Town or City |
Cuenca (3.8 km) |
|
Airport’s Complete Name |
Mariscal La Mar International Airport |
|
Latitude |
-2.889678 |
|
Longitude |
-78.987095 |
|
Elevation (ft and m) |
2.532 m / 8.306 feet |
|
IATA Code |
CUE |
|
ICAO Code |
SECU |
|
Managing Company or Airport Authority |
Corporación Aeroportuaria de Cuenca (CORPAC) http://www.aeropuertocuenca.ec/ |
|
Management Contact Person |
José Luis Aguilar Executive Director (May 2023) (Experience: Ministry of Transportation and Public Works, deputy minister of transport services) 593) 7286-7120 / (593) 72862095 |
|
Open From (hours) |
From Saturday to Thursday 06:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. |
|
Open To (hours) |
_ |
Airport Picture
Photo: www.aeropuertocuenca.ec
The airport is located 2,532 meters above sea level with a reference temperature of 24 degrees Celsius. The airport's operation starts at 11:00 UTC to 02:00 UTC every day of the year, that is, 6:00 and ends at 21:00 in local time UTC-5.
Sourec: @dgac_ecuador
Description and Contacts of Key Companies
Corporate Contacs CORPAC
|
OFFICER |
AREA |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Dr. José Luis Aguilar |
Executive Director |
|
|
Ing. Italo Mogrovejo |
Director of Aerodrome Operations, Engineering and Infrastructure |
|
|
Ing. Marcela Bravo |
Financial Administrative Director |
|
|
Ab. Paul Vazquez |
Legal advisor |
|
|
Lcda. Marcia Rodas |
Security |
FBO Handlers, Ground Operators, Cuenca Airport*
International Flight Planning Solutions- IFPLS
(*) With own operations or service is provided through third parties
Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator
|
Performance for 2022 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Per Year |
Per Month |
Per Day |
|
|
Total Aircraft Movements |
N/A |
- |
Cuenca-Quito 52 flights/week Cuenca-Guayaquil 4 flights/week |
|
Total Passengers |
196.530 (1) (2021 103.777) |
16378 |
546 |
|
Total Capacity of the Airport (MT) |
(2) |
||
|
Current Activity of the Airport (MT) |
(3) |
||
|
Current use by Humanitarian Flights (UNHAS) |
No |
||
(1) National Institute of Statistics, Consulted on September 6, 2023
(2) Cargo flights are not planned. The terminal, relatively small, has 5,126 m² of construction on 2 floors, being a completely modern building.
(3) The airport has a rigid pavement platform 250 m long by 50 m wide, parallel to 70 m from the runway axis.
Runways
Total area of 68,400 square meters. At the Northeast and Southwest ends there is an additional area (called ears) of 18,446.00 m². Therefore, the actual total surface area of the track is 86,846.00 m². Headland threshold 0-5: S 02º53``41.0” and W 78º59``28.1” with an elevation of 2531.73 meters (8306.2 feet) above sea level. Head threshold 2-3: S 02º53``03.1 and W 78º58` 39.06” with an elevation of 2516.45 meters (8256.07 feet) above sea level.
The taxiway is built on flexible pavement, parallel to the runway at a distance of 78m. and communicates with the 0-5 head of the airport with a length of 580 m. with a width of 18 m.
Source: zbordirect.com/es/airport/cuenca-cue
Currently, with the growth of the city, the airport is located within the northern area of the city, completely surrounded by it, in a commercial, industrial and residential area. This generates inconvenience, especially due to noise, safety and efficiency problems for airlines and users. Furthermore, although the passenger terminal has been constantly updated and is a modern building, the runway can no longer be expanded because on one side there is a ravine and on the other side several houses and businesses.
|
Runway #1 |
|
|---|---|
|
Runway Dimensions |
1900m x 36m (6,234 × 118 ft) TRACK STRIP: 2020m x 110m SLOPE: ±0.82% |
|
Orientation |
24 N y 06 S |
|
Surface |
Asphalt, flexible |
RunwayRepairs (Nov 2021):
Repair of irregularities on the runway surface, due to the asphalt layer reaching its useful life.
Repair and sealing of cracks (potholes on runway).
Repair in the footprint groove.
Definitive demarcation of the manoeuvre area and movement area with new painting and signage.
Taxi way:
The taxiway is built on flexible pavement, parallel to the runway at a distance of 78 m and communicates with the airport's 0-5 headland with a length of 580 m and a width of 18 m.
CUE conditions:
4.5 km Visibility
250m Ceiling
VFR THRESHOLD 05
IFR THRESHOLD 23 PRN APPROACH THRESHOLD 05
Runway lighting:
12 PAPIS Lights, header 23.
8 PAPIS lights, header 05.
16 Green lights, runway start 05/23.
16 Red lights, end of runway 05/23.
The airport has a rigid pavement platform 250 m long by 50 m wide, parallel to 70 m from the runway axis.
Airport Infrastructure Details
The relatively small terminal has 5,126 m² of construction on 2 floors, being a completely modern building. Currently, with the growth of the city, the airport is located within the northern area of the city, completely surrounded by it, in a commercial, industrial and residential area. This generates inconvenience, especially due to noise, safety and efficiency problems for airlines and users.
|
Customs |
Yes |
JET A-1 fuel |
Yes |
|
Immigration |
Yes |
AVGAS 100 |
Yes |
|
Terminal Building |
Yes |
Single Point Refueling |
Yes |
|
Passenger Terminal |
Yes |
Air Starter Units |
Yes |
|
Cargo terminal |
No cargo flights |
Ground Power (mobile) |
Yes |
|
Pax Transport to Airfield |
No |
Ground Handling Services |
Yes |
|
Control Tower |
Yes |
Latrine Servicing |
Yes |
|
Weather Facilities |
Yes Meteo CUE |
Fire Fighting Category (ICAO) |
|
|
Catering Services |
No |
De-icing Equipment |
No |
|
Base Operating Room |
Yes |
Parking Ramp Lighting |
N/A |
|
Airport Radar |
Yes |
Approach & Runway Lights |
Yes Balizaje CUE |
|
NDB |
Yes |
VOR |
|
|
ILS |
Yes |
Radio aid for navigation and landing: Radioayuda CUE
Airport Operating Details
|
Operating Details |
|
|---|---|
|
Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Bulk Cargo |
No cargo flights |
|
Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Pallet |
No cargo flights |
|
Total Aircraft Parking Area (m²) |
The airport has a rigid pavement platform 250 m long by 50 m wide, parallel to 70 m from the runway axis. |
|
Storage Area (m3 and MT) |
No |
Storage Facilities
CUE Airport does not receive cargo flights
Airfield Costs
The Ecodelta rate, of USD 50, is charged on international tickets from Ecuador to abroad. On the other hand, the Ecuador Tourist Power tax is charged on international tickets from abroad to Ecuador.
Ecuador is generally the most expensive country for airlines, because it has the highest landing and parking fees in Latin America. On average, an airplane must pay USD 1,751 to cover these items.
The airport charges regulated rates for the following services, among others:
• By the use of the tracks
• For air traffic services
• For meteorological services
• For the inspection and control services of passengers and luggage
• Due to the use, by passengers, of airport areas not accessible to visitors.
• For passenger mobility services and assistance to people with reduced mobility
• Due to the parking of aircraft at airports
FUEL SERVICES CHARGES
|
Price per Litre USD - $ |
|
|---|---|
|
Jet A-1 |
2.114 / US Gallon ; 0.562 / Litre |
|
Avgas |
N/A |
Video restart of fuel supply service at CUE airport: https://youtu.be/_5UJGaPUy3E
Corpac – FAYTA* http://www.fayta.com.ec/combustibles/ : Fuel types: JET A-1
2 tanks with a capacity of 5000 and 10000 gallons
5 tanks with a capacity of 50 thousand gallons
Condition: Operational
(*)FAYTA S.A. is an Ecuadorian company that markets aviation fuels (Turbo Fuel JP1 and AVGas 100/130), with more than 10 years of experience in the market, has current permits and contracts for the sale and distribution of aviation fuels.
Air Bridge
The airport does not have this equipment
Navigation Charges
Internacional, Cargos por Navegación y en Tierra Internacional Cargos Navegación
(see Art. 4º, 5º, 5.1, 7º, 8º y 9º)
Security
PROHIBITED ITEMS
a) Light firearms, firearms and other projectile-launching devices designed to cause serious injury by launching a projectile, or which can be confused with such devices
b) Stunning devices specifically designed to stun or immobilize:
c) Pointed or sharp-edged objects that can be used to cause serious injury:
d) Work tools that can be used to cause serious injury or threaten the operational safety of the aircraft:
e) Blunt instruments that can be used to cause serious injuries by striking:
f) Explosives and flammable substances and devices that can be used to cause serious injury or threaten the operational safety of the aircraft:
The regulations for obtaining, granting and using the airport circulation card at the Mariscal La Mar airport in the city of Cuenca indicate that: Any person who performs tasks or functions in the aeronautical field, as well as performs commercial acts or provides services. in the restricted security areas of the Mariscal La Mar airport in the city of Cuenca, you must possess the Airport Circulation Card, issued by the Cuenca Airport Corporation.
The TCA is the only document that allows its holder to enter certain sector(s) of the airport facility, according to the area to which they are authorized and which is displayed on the card in a bar of colors and numbers.
Objective: Guarantee the safety of passengers, aircraft users and airport facilities through the application of a control mechanism, with the issuance of the Airport Circulation Card, which regulates the entry and stay of people in the aeronautical part or in the different restricted security areas of the Mariscal Lamar airport in the city of Cuenca.
RESCUE AND FIRE FIGHTING SERVICE
|
1 |
Working Hours |
MON-SUN 1100-0300 |
|
2 |
Fire Fighting Category |
CAT 6 |
|
3 |
Rescue Equipment |
1 OSHKOSH T-1500 1500 gallons of water, 195 gallons of AFFF and 500 pounds of P.Q.S. 1 ROSEMBAUER 3000 3000 gallons of water, 400 gallons of AFFF and 500 pounds of P.Q.S. |
|
4 |
Ability to remove disabled aircraft |
Liability and removal of an aircraft unused correspond to the registered owner or to the operator affected by his own means or agreement with local companies. |
|
5 |
Remarks |
N/A |
