Month: November 2017

• The agreement includes matters related to cooperation in airport management, exchange of information between both companies and training to develop best practices in user and passenger service.

With the presence of Cuenca’s mayor, Marcelo Cabrera, as honorary guest and the Vice Minister of Transportation Management, Boris Palacios, Corporacion Quiport, concessionaire of Quito’s airport, and Corporación Aeroportuaria de Cuenca (Corpac) signed a cooperation agreement that would allow the sharing of information, knowledge and experience in airport management which aims to enable mutual enrichment and development of both air terminals.

During the event held this Monday at the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel, Andrew O’Brian, President and General Director of Corporacion Quiport explained that this agreement strengthens the ties of friendship and solidarity in order to create a collaborative work ecosystem that will improve the quality of the country’s airport services.

“We began this cooperation convinced that sharing tools to better manage our airports is one of the means to develop our two cities’ potential; we thank Corpac for its trust and reiterate our commitment to Cuenca and Ecuador,” said Quiport’s principal executive.

The areas of cooperation practically cover all aspects of airport management and include matters such as security, operations, maintenance, commercial development, route development, infrastructure, information systems, customer service management, environment and energy efficiency.

In turn, Carlos Jácome, Corpac’s director, highlighted that given Cuenca’s growth and development, signing this agreement— which permits collective work with Quiport’s team to be able to strengthen technical and administrative areas in order to share experiences between both air terminals— is an honor. It would not only improve the quality of services, but it would also reinforce the brotherly ties between Quito and Cuenca. “We thank those who have worked on this matter. Thank you all for this approach and for your trust in this project.”, said Jácome in closing.

Luis Carrera, Director of Civil Aviation, explained that the objective of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation is to promote aviation and that this type of agreement contributes to this goal, especially pertaining to operational safety. He highlighted, “we are convinced that all our work puts us both at the forefront of other international airports with respect to operational safety. I congratulate Quiport and Corpac for this initiative; these exercises demonstrate the importance of working with all agencies.”

José Luis Aguilar, representative of the Secretariat of Productive Development and Competitiveness of the Municipality of Quito assured that “the city is pleased with these types of agreements because they not only strengthen the ties of brotherhood between the airports, but between both cities as well. Reinforcing air traffic between the two cities is a form of reactivating the economy and promoting our efforts towards tourism. From the Municipality, we acknowledge Quiport’s leadership because its management of the airport has placed it as one of the leaders in the region and we are sure that Corpac would benefit from this experience; we applaud Quiport for its successful management, for everything it has achieved for the city and the country.”

Meanwhile, Boris Palacios, Vice Minister of Transportation Management (MTOP), highlighted that the MTOP focuses on efforts to improve citizens’ quality of life. “On a global level, a trend is emerging of city-models that encourage a network that improves air connectivity, which not only benefits airports, but also causes an impact on thousands of persons, generates jobs and promotes economic development.”

Finally, the Mayor of Cuenca, Marcelo Cabrera, stated that to the municipality of Cuenca, “signing this new agreement with Quiport is encouraging and satisfying; we are aware of Cuenca’s potential but our Mariscal La Mar airport also has certain limitations. What we have asked Quiport is to learn from its successes; we have requested its advice because Cuenca needs to migrate towards an airport with high quality standards, better services and, in the long-term, a new airport with better services for our citizens, tourists and entrepreneurs.”

With over 10 years of experience in the operation, management, and maintenance of Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport, both the old airport as well as the one located in the Tababela area, Corporacion Quiport has been internationally recognized for its management of the capital’s air terminal thanks to management that is planned and focused on the needs of the country and the city, as well as the airport’s passengers and users.

This experience will be shared with Corporación Aeroportuaria de Cuenca, so that the Mariscal La Mar International Airport strengthens its services with a view to the touristic and business potential of Azuay’s capital city.

• An airport does not merely benefit its users and passengers. It also represents an opportunity for growth for its neighboring populations. This November the Mariscal Sucre International Airport has opened one of the first stores in the region offering products 100% generated by families who live in the parishes surrounding the area.

Productive activities, development of abilities, good manufacturing practices, emerging agriculture and shared values all come together into one of the most representative social responsibility projects launched by Corporación Quiport, the concessionaire of the Quito Mariscal Sucre Airport.

Located at Quito Airport Center building across the street from the airport passenger terminal, 16 farmers and their families from Puembo, Pifo, Tababela, Yaruqui and Checa are managing and directing “Nuestra Huerta” (Our Garden), one of the first regional establishments offering local agricultural products.

Andrew O’Brian, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport, explains that this is the continuation of a project that began three years ago for purposes of combining the presence of the Quito Airport with the area´s agricultural and productive potential.

“Since opening in 2013, Quipor, in charge of managing the Quito International Airport, has focused on improving the quality of life of our neighboring populations. As such we have encouraged projects involving empowerment, production development, and links with the communities. Today we proudly open this store which represents the possibility of collaboration between an airport and the communities surrounding it”, Andrew O’Brian said on its inauguration.

Conceived as an entrepreneurial project derived from Quiport’s Social Management Plan, with the technical support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), “Nuestra Huerta” evolved towards a shared value scheme; that is, as a strategy that analyzes the social environment in which an organization performs, to renew its processes and generate profits while impacting communities positively. The first stage of “Nuestra Huerta” was focused on training plans for the residents of the area. Once they developed their capabilities their products were delivered to employees of airport companies, thus creating a productive chain. This whole process is why the presence of the representative of the IDB in Ecuador, Fernando Quevedo, was very important in the opening event.

Once the project was consolidated, “Nuestra Huerta” producers founded the community enterprise named Productora Agrícola Alpachaca Muyverde Cia. Ltda., allowing them to manage the store located inside the airport. “Since the beginning of airport construction we saw the possibility of helping our families; now that “Nuestra Huerta” is already operating our wishes have become a reality and we are confident that our products will be well received by our visitors”, Rebeca Baquero, the organization’s president, explained.

“Nuestra Huerta” is now operating and offers airport employees and users the opportunity to consume healthy products prepared according to quality standards. It also allows the families living in the vicinity of the airport the possibility of having an undertaking of their own that recognizes their abilities and their daily work.

With the valuable participation of Corporación Quiport, the 27th Airports Council International – Latin America & Caribbean (ACI-LAC) General Assembly was concluded last Thursday, November 9 in San Jose, Costa Rica. Quiport’s delegation was composed of Andrew O’Brian, President and Director General; Carlos Criado, Commercial Director; Allan Padilla, Operations Director; and Jaime Pérez, Social Responsibility Manager.

Issues of vital importance to the future of the airport industry were addressed at the Assembly including airport contribution to the development of tourism, infrastructure challenges faced by airports in the region, airport security, and how technological innovation opportunities can become solutions in improving passenger experience. Matters relating to the impact on economic development, social responsibility, and environmental protection were also discussed.

Andrew O’Brian, who also participated as panelist at the Airport CEOForum, highlighted the importance of this type of meetings. “Airport activity is one of the most dynamic in the world, and it is essential to debate and share experiences in order to better understand our role in the economic and social development of our countries and define where our efforts should be directed to adequately meet the demands of our clients, which include airlines and passengers,” said O’Brian.

In parallel with the Assembly, ACI-LAC committees meeting were held. Our team participated in the Operational Safety Committee, chaired by Allan Padilla, the Environment Committee, chaired by Jaime Pérez, and the Economic Committee, of which Carlos Criado is a member.