Author: abermeo

• Starting on the 27th of December, Brazilian airline GOL will arrive in Ecuador offering non-stop flights between Sao Paulo and Quito. The airline will be the only one operating between the two countries without stopovers.

GOL will operate three weekly flights between Brazil and Ecuador on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, leaving Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport at 19:35 (local time) and arriving at Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport at 22:30 (local time). From Quito, flights will leave at 23:30 (local time) and arrive at Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport at 08:20 the following day (Sao Paulo time).

The arrival of this new airline is the result of efforts by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism (Mintur), the Municipality of Quito and Corporación Quiport, as the concessionaire of Mariscal Sucre Airport.

Álvaro Maldonado, Secretary for Development and Competitiveness at Quito Municipality, emphasized that “this new destination connects us more efficiently to one of the most important and promising destinations and markets in the region and the world. There is no doubt that better connectivity means more tourism, more business and more competitiveness. We welcome GOL to Quito! Its presence will add value to our airport and the city”.

The Vice President of Sales and Marketing at GOL, Eduardo Bernardes, stated “we are very pleased to be the only airline operating direct flights from Brazil to Ecuador’s capital. Our new flights to Quito are part of our international expansion strategy. This is the 13th GOL destination outside Brazil that we will operate”.

For the Ecuadorian Minister of Tourism, Rosi Prado de Holguín, the addition of this important airline connects two countries that have a lot to share when it comes to tourism. “We appreciate the confidence in our country and we are certain that it will be a very successful operation. We are absolutely willing to create joint promotion strategies, raising Ecuador’s profile in Brazil as a destination thanks to this new route”, said Holguín.

For Andrew O’Brian, Corporación Quiport’s President and CEO, the addition of GOL’s operations represents a significant leap in connectivity for the city and country. “A fundamental pillar of our administration is the development of connectivity. For this reason, we have spent the last three years working with GOL to bring it to Quito, and thanks to the joint efforts of the government, Quito Municipality and Quiport we were able to seal the deal to start non-stop flights as of December 27th” said O’Brian.

The routes to Mariscal Sucre International Airport will be served by the new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, equipped with the latest technology. Customers will be able to enjoy all the comforts already offered by the airline, such as on-board Internet and entertainment, leather seats, more space between seats and a complimentary on-board food and beverage service.

• This number has been reached 5 years and 9 months after the airport opened in February 2013.
• The 30 millionth passenger is Ecuadorian and was returning to Quito from Guayaquil.

We have now seen 30 million passengers pass through Mariscal Sucre Airport since it began operations on February 20, 2013. This afternoon, on Avianca flight 1633 which landed at 14:30 from Guayaquil, we received our 30 millionth passenger, Ximena Zamora.

She arrived amid much fanfare and was the key guest at a celebration held in her honor, where Corporación Quiport gifted her a membership to the airport’s VIP Experience (access to VIP Lounges and fast track service) as well as a box with products from our Nuestra Huerta community project, one of Corporación Quiport’s main corporate social responsibility programs.

Allan Padilla, Director of Operations at Quiport, congratulated the lucky passenger and gave her a certificate to remember this special occasion.

Ximena Zamora was surprised to find out she was our 30 millionth passenger. “It is an honor to be part of this celebration and it has been a very pleasant surprise. It is good to see the airport is well-managed, you are an example for Latin America and the world” she said while thanking Quiport for the surprise.

Allan Padilla declared “we are proud that after nearly six years of operations we now celebrate our 30 millionth passenger at Quito Airport, which has been recognized as South America’s Leading Airport for a fifth time and as a 4-Star airport for the third consecutive time by Skytrax”.

He also mentioned that thanks to the growth in passenger traffic seen at the airport, new expansion works and improvements are being carried out to provide a service that exceeds the expectations of our users and passengers at Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport.

• Some 15 private companies connected to the aviation industry have pooled their environmental management experiences and commitments to create the first cluster to optimize their processes. Their aim is to reduce their carbon footprint and consolidate a sector that grows while respecting the planet. These efforts have been recognized by Airports Council International (ACI) which awarded Level III Optimization certification to Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Quito (MSIA) for promoting this initiative.

Improve aircraft operating procedures, gradually replace conventional lighting with LED technology, use the least amount of packaging in export cargo processes, make use of recyclable materials, construct and operate wastewater treatment plants; all of these are among the commitments agreed by 15 private companies and Corporación Quiport, the entity that manages the capital’s airport and which last week was awarded Level III Certification of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program by Airports Council International.

“Our commitment to Quito and Ecuador is to offer an airport with efficient operations and sustainable development. The magnitude of climate change is such that individual actions to mitigate impacts must be expanded to include far-reaching movements to achieve a notable influence” says Andrew O’ Brian, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport. “To achieve this goal, the airport and the 15 companies that have joined the shared purpose will invest approximately USD 500,000 to be used to perform specific commitments” he explains.

According to ACI Latin America, 16 airports are part of its Airport Carbon Accreditation program. Of these, Mariscal Sucre Airport is the second after the Galapagos to obtain Level III Optimisation which involves including other industry stakeholders in efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. The first cluster (group of interconnected companies in a particular industrial sector who collaborate strategically to obtain common benefits) has been created around the airport with the aim of developing joint and powerful actions to halt climate change.

To obtain this recognition, MSIA first passed Level I which required carbon footprint measurement and Level II which is focused on reduction. The goal now is to reach Level IV – Neutrality which requires neutralizing remaining direct carbon emissions by offsetting.

According to Quiport’s data, during Level III certification, the Airport’s carbon footprint has been reduced by 4%, meaning that in the past year 819 tons of emissions have been saved.

The specific commitments of the members of the cluster are varied. For example, LATAM and Tame will work to improve their aircrafts’ operating procedures and route monitoring systems. Avianca has agreed to gradually replace its lighting with LED technology. Servipallet (air cargo pallet service), Petroamazonas Hangar, Swissport EMSA, Meramexair, DK Terra and Pertral (pallet services) have also set themselves this objective.

Goddard Catering Group, in charge of preparing on-board meals, has set a goal to build and operate a wastewater treatment plant and KFC Group will continue its campaign to reduce plastic and encourage proper waste management. Hotel Wyndham aims to use solar panels to provide hot water at its facilities and Novacargo will install motion sensor lights in it its service areas.

This way, the region’s best airport is paying attention to global changes and offers innovative solutions to help improve the quality of life of Quito’s residents and Ecuadorians.

• Andrew O´Brian’s election took place at the 27th Annual Assembly of the Airports Council International – Latin America and the Caribbean.
• This is a new show of Quito’s and its airport’s leadership and the trust placed in Corporación Quiport´s work.
• ACI-LAC represents 270 airports from Latin America and the Caribbean that transport 584 million passengers per year and 5.1 million metric tons of cargo.

At midday on November 13, the members of the ACI-LAC General Assembly unanimously voted to elect Andrew O’Brian, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport, as President of the organization for a two-year term.

Corporación Quiport is honored with the appointment of Mr. O’Brian as President of this important body, representing the interests of more than 270 airports in the Latin American and Caribbean region that together mobilize 584 million passengers annually and handle 5.1 million metric tons of cargo.

In his speech, Andrew O’Brian expressed his enthusiasm to start working with the new Board of Directors that has been formed for the 2019-2020 period, in which the CEOs of 17 regional airports participate, who will lead the organization by the next two years with a strategic vision to strengthen the positioning of the Latin American and Caribbean region as one of the most potential for development on a global scale

“The experience I have gained over my time at ACI-LAC has shown me the importance of having a very solid association of airports that can handle the challenges we face in the industry”, stated Mr. O’Brian, who also invited the representatives of the airports participating in the Assembly to work together to help the organization and the Latin American and Caribbean airport sector reach new heights.

The ACI-LAC 27th Assembly, Conference and Commercial Exhibition, attended by approximately 350 delegates from airports across the region, is being held in Miami, USA from 12 – 14 November.

This gathering is the ideal platform for fostering relationships with leaders and decision makers from airport operators, government and service providers, among other industry stakeholders.

The Airports Council International was founded in 1991 by airport operators across the globe. Its mission is to advance the collective interests of the air transport industry and maximize cooperation between its members.

For purposes of promoting operational safety at the Quito International Airport, Corporacion Quiport – the city’s concessionaire of airport services – organized the seventh Operational Safety Week 2018 at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport.

The symposium was held from Wednesday, November 7, to Friday, November 9, at the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel. More than 500 members of the Quito airport community attended the meeting to discuss transcendental issues in respect of operational safety and to reflect on best practices relating to every aspect of airport operations.

Important members of Ecuador’s aeronautical industry were present such as Carlos Alvarez-Mantilla, Director General of the Civil Aviation Directorate (“DGAC”), Octavio Perez, Tame’s General Manager, Javier Villalba, Safety Chief for LATAM Ecuador, Allan Padilla, Director of Operations for the Quito Airport, among others.

During his speech at the inauguration ceremony, Carlos Alvarez-Mantilla -the highest aeronautical authority- highlighted operational safety as the backbone of civil aviation, while Mr. Padilla stressed the importance that all companies, workers and institutions operating at the airport should participate in these learning processes, exchange best practices, and reflect about this subject matter.

The 2018 Operational Safety Week was successfully organized with ACI-LAC support (the Airport Council International – Latin America and the Caribbean), an organization that gathers 270 airports in the region.

Among the important activities that took place during the three days are “Lessons about Operational Safety” roundtable with a panel including representatives from the airlines that operate in Quito, ramp services operators, and airport suppliers. Experts in operational safety from the Mexican Pacific Airport Group were present in a video-conference on “Human Factors at Airports” and a speech about fatigue affecting workers and shift work delivered by a doctor who is a specialist in labor issues.

Aviation is one of the safest transportation means, in great measure thanks to the careful and responsible work on operational safety implemented by airport operators, suppliers of ancillary services, and the airports. Continued positive work at the Quito Mariscal Sucre Airport in these aspects is strengthened by events such as this, the interest shown by the airport community, and permanent application of best practices.

Given the importance and success of this initiative, ACI-LAC is planning to repeat this event in other affiliated airports in the region.

• LATAM will offer approximately 72,000 seats per year on this route, increasing capacity between Ecuador and Chile by more than 62%.
• The route will be served by an Airbus 320neo, an aircraft that incorporates new-generation technology for a more efficient, sustainable flight and improved environmental performance.

Today, LATAM Airlines announced that it will boost connectivity between Chile and Ecuador with a new direct route connecting Santiago and Quito. The flight will be served by one of the most modern and efficient aircraft in the global aviation industry, the Airbus 320neo with a capacity for 174 passengers.

Flights will begin on April 1, 2019 with four weekly services on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flight LA548 will depart from Arturo Merino Benítez Airport in Santiago de Chile at 06:00, arriving in Quito at 09:00. The return flight LA549 will depart at 09:55 from Mariscal Sucre International Airport and will arrive in Santiago at 16:55.

“Through connectivity, the aviation industry is a major driver of economic and social development in our region. As a genuinely Latin American airline, we have a strong commitment to our passengers to offer them the best network of connections in the region. This is precisely what we are achieving with the direct route between Quito and Santiago, as well as reducing the flight time between these two cities and opening up new possibilities for tourism and trade” commented Daniel Leng, CEO of LATAM Airlines Ecuador.

To celebrate this announcement and the forthcoming start of operations, LATAM Airlines Ecuador and Corporación Quiport, concessionaire of the Mariscal Sucre Airport, organized an event which brought together the main aviation authorities of Ecuador.

Andrew O’Brian, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport, congratulated LATAM Airlines on this new flight and added: “the new direct flight between Santiago and Quito, operated by LATAM, is a demonstration of the airline’s trust in the city as a destination and in the airport. It will undoubtedly increase the connectivity of the Ecuadorian capital with more cities in Latin America and will help to promote tourism and business between both cities which historically have had close ties”.

This will be the second direct flight operated by LATAM Airlines between Chile and Ecuador. The company currently has daily services between Guayaquil and Santiago; with the new offering, LATAM will increase its capacity by 62%, equivalent to 72,500 additional seats per year.

About Airbus A320neo

LATAM Airlines Group was the first operator in the Americas to add the Airbus A320neo to its fleet. LATAM received the first aircraft in 2016 and currently has four, one of which will serve the new direct Santiago – Quito – Santiago route.

Daniel Leng, CEO of LATAM Airlines Ecuador, emphasizes that the company will become the first airline in Ecuador to operate a regular service using this type of aircraft.

“The Airbus 320neo is distinguished by its excellent environmental performance. The aircraft has new-generation engines and Sharklet wingtip devices, which together allow us to guarantee a more efficient flight, reducing noise by up to 50% and saving 5,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year” Daniel adds.

• Corporación Quiport, the Ministry of Culture of Brazil and the CCR Institute were pleased to present the Brazilian pianist Simone Leitão in Quito as part of her international tour.

On Friday, October 19th, the Ministry of Culture of Brazil, the CCR Institute and Corporación Quiport were pleased to present the Brazilian pianist Simone Leitão at Casa de la Música as part of her international tour. The repertoire included works by Bach-Busoni, Rachmaninoff and brazilian Villa-Lobos and Mehmari in a free concert.

More than 500 people enjoyed Leitão’s virtuoso performance and her interpretation of works such as Bach’s Chaconne in D minor, Grande Baião de Concerto by Mehmari, Ciclo Brasileiro by Villa-Lobos and Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor by Rachmaninoff.

As well as Quito, Ecuador, concerts will be held internationally in locations including Curaçao; Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York in the USA; Salvador, Brazil; and San José, Costa Rica.

The director of CCR Institute, Marina Mattaraia, reinforced the importance of promoting this kind of activity: “the support given to the International Tour will have a special meaning for the CCR Institute. In addition to supporting a Brazilian artist, the initiative will provide access to the culture of classical music abroad, where there are also companies of the CCR Group”.

Andrew O’Brian, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport (a company belonging to CCR Group), explained the reasons for sponsoring this event. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to promote high-quality cultural activities in Quito. We have been greatly looking forward to hearing Simone Leitão interpret exceptional pieces of universal classical music. We are proud that Quito has been included as one of the cities on the International Tour.”

The Ambassador of Brazil in Ecuador, Carlos Alfredo Lazary Teixeira stated that “it is a huge pleasure to be involved in Simone Leitão’s first performance in the country, locally supporting an event organized by the Ministry of Culture of Brazil and other institutions, in particular CCR Institute and Quiport. We are very pleased that Simone Leitão’s, as a renowned pianist, has included Quito in her tour and that once again a Brazilian artist has taken the stage at Casa de la Música.”

The pianist was born in Caratinga, Minas Gerais, and achieved international renown through performances in Brazil, Europe, Asia and America. She holds a DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) in piano performance and musicology from the University of Miami, and a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the Norwegian Academy of Music. Simone is a curious and versatile artist who believes in the power of concert music as a universal language and a strong bridge of communication between diverse peoples and cultures.

Corporación Quiport, the concessionaire of Quito’s airport services, in keeping with its promise to provide services of excellence and its commitment to foster air connectivity and economic and social development in Quito and Ecuador, has announced an expansion and improvement plan at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport for 2017-2020.

The plan involving nine projects structured around three key areas – investment, service and development – aims at improving airport processes for the benefit of passengers, users and companies requiring them.

Investment for the expansion and improvement plan amounts to US$ 90 million distributed as follows: US$ 60 million for expansion and US$ 30 million for improvements.

The expansion project – with US$ 60 million investment – is focused on extending the airport’s operating capacity considering its service standards and is in keeping with the contractual obligations under the Master Plan for Airport Development approved by the Municipality of Quito. It comprises infrastructure construction and is to be performed at four work fronts:

• Expansion of cargo platform delivered this year, which included the construction of one additional aircraft parking spot, thus improving the capacity to process imports and exports from the Mariscal Sucre Airport.
• Expansion of apron parking area for the Ground Service Equipment allowing better operation of aeronautical services. This was also completed in early 2018.
• Extension of passenger terminal by 18%. 21% enhancement of processing area, including installation of six additional self-check-in kiosks and improvement of immigration area by 34% and customs area by 13%. The departures area will be expanded by 3,200 square meters, thus resulting in 19% increased capacity of the boarding lounge, including an additional boarding gate and an additional boarding bridge.
• Expansion of commercial platform for passengers with construction of 11,215 square meters and an additional aircraft parking spot.

Quiport is additionally carrying out improvements including reconfiguration of areas to optimize the operation and to enhance the users’ experience. With a US$ 30 million investment, this plan includes five projects, three of them delivered in 2017 as follows:

• Expansion and remodeling of the international VIP lounge, with broad areas designed for working, resting, entertainment and fine eating.
• Implementation of concourse area to facilitate connections of in-transit passengers.
• Sidewalk and landscaping project, beautifying the airport with gardens, green areas thus providing a feeling of identity to visitors.

The following will be delivered by 2020:

• Reconfiguration of the departures hall by relocating the information counter to a position with better visibility at the center of the hall. Some of the shops will be relocated, resulting in an optimized use of the space. New finishings and new floors will also be placed to modernize the area.
• Reconfiguration of arrivals area to increase its capacity. A sixth baggage belt will be installed in order to optimize suitcase delivery and to provide more comfort to travelers.

At a press conference held in Quito to announce the project, Jessica Alomía, Undersecretary of Air Transport of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, said that “Quito’s airport is one of the main catalysts of development – it generates employment, tourism, trade, and this in turn is translated into many jobs and many opportunities for Ecuadorian families.”

“We want to thank the Quito airport for giving this good news to the country. These great achievements drive us to continue working for air connectivity, tourism and trade.”

For the Secretary of Productive Development and Competitiveness of the Municipality of Quito, Álvaro Maldonado, the project of the Mariscal Sucre Airport “is a model and a successful case of public-private partnership. There are very few cases of this magnitude in Latin America. I want to emphasize that this is an absolutely winning project with an interesting future. It is a case study for the region and it is indeed an excellent presentation letter for our investment attraction strategy, now complemented by the national government with a policy of economic development, that goes hand in hand with the private sector and investors.”

The General Director of Civil Aviation, Carlos Álvarez Mantilla, extended his “sincere congratulations to all the people at Quiport who today have presented a project that includes the construction of infrastructure and equipment to expand the operational capacity of the airport which will undoubtedly boost the economic, social and therefore tourism development of Quito and Ecuador.”

For his part, the president of the Association of Representatives of Airlines in Ecuador (ARLAE), Marco Subía, commented, “it is the first time in my life, in all the experience I have in aviation, that I have seen so many airlines arrive in the country. That means that something is being done correctly on behalf of the Municipality, the central government, the Directorate of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Transport, the Quito airport… something is being done well and we must continue in that fashion”.

He continued by saying that “the airlines are very happy with this news, with this growth that facilitates the operation. We have always worked hand in hand with all the authorities, the Municipality and Corporación Quiport. The airlines are very pleased with this good news. Our sincere congratulations.”

Andrew O’Brian, President and Director General of Corporación Quiport, explains that “our main objective is to develop our connectivity by strategically working hand-in-hand with municipal and national authorities to attract more airlines and to open more destinations making us the most successful public-private partnership model in Ecuador. Thanks to our work aiming at tourist promotion, Quito and Ecuador have become a hot destination. The airport expansion results in the arrival of many new flights. Quiport and the city are ready to receive the world.”

With the expansion and improvements plan approved by the Municipality of Quito, Corporación Quiport exceeds its contractual expectations and raises its service levels by investing in improvements that will enrich the passenger experience. Thus, Corporación Quiport complies with its commitment of offering first-class infrastructure that will further connectivity growth in the city and in the country.

• For five consecutive years, the air terminal has been chosen as South America’s Leading Airport at the World Travel Awards, considered the Oscars of the travel industry.
• Connectivity, expansions, adaptation of new areas, implementation of cutting-edge technology and distinction in customer service are just some of the keys to achieving a standard of excellence acknowledged by the travel industry.

After winning South America’s Leading Airport for the fifth consecutive year, Quito Airport is among the three biggest winners of World Travel Awards in South America, sharing the same number of awards with Lima Airport and only surpassed by the eight awards won by Brazil´s Río de Janeiro Airport.

At the gala ceremony for the 25th World Travel Awards (known as the Oscars of the travel industry) held on September 15 in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Quito Airport once again won this accolade thanks to the support of its users and passengers who participated in the voting process carried out between March 26 and August 5, 2018.

The key to the international recognition garnered by Quito Airport can be found in its management strategy which aims to constantly seek new opportunities to improve its services and meet the needs of passengers and the industry. “An airport is very complex, dynamic and in a state of constant change” states Andrew O’Brian, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport, the concessionaire of Quito’s airport service. “The air transport industry evolves very quickly, not only in technological advances but also regarding the efficiency of its processes and the variety of services that airports offer to passengers and users”, he adds.

Expansions, adaptation of new areas, implementation of cutting-edge technology and excellent customer service are the bases on which Quito Airport has built its reputation, and it has consolidated its position as the main gateway into the country.

“We do all this keeping in mind that we serve thousands of people each day who arrive at the airport full of expectations and emotions. Thousands of stories converge at our airport: reunions, new opportunities, the beginning or end of longed-for vacations, business deals. Our job is to ensure that each person can concentrate on their priorities while we take care of everything else. It isn’t easy, but we are on the right track”, Mr. O’Brian commented.

More than 100 institutions and companies provide services at the airport, employing more than 8,200 people. Without their commitment, we could not reach a position of leadership. To this end, Quiport constantly measures the levels of service of all processes at the airport, coordinating with all operators—airlines, government agencies, etc.—to find the most effective solutions that meet the needs of our users.

But what is Quito Airport’s contribution to the development of tourism? Since it opened in 2013, the airport has seen a significant increase in the number of destinations and airlines. This year alone saw the airport welcome AirEuropa with flights to Madrid, Spain; and GOL, a Brazilian airline that will connect Quito with Sao Paulo as of December 2018.

We are certain that tourism is strengthened by quality transport services, which is why the airport is part of a tourism ecosystem that invigorates one the fastest growing destinations in the region.

The World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel industry. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence, and the winners represent a benchmark which others aspire to follow.

Starting May 14th, the Air France network is expanding thanks to Joon, with the launch of its Quito – Paris-Charles de Gaulle route. Customers will be able to travel directly between the Ecuadorian and French capitals by Airbus A340 in the comfort of the new long-haul travel cabins.

The aircraft has capacity for 278 passengers and offers three travel classes: Business with 30 seats, Premium Economy with 21 seats and Economy with 227 seats. Three weekly flights will be offered between May 14 and October 26, 2019 during the European summer season.

Flight Schedules (local time):

AF211: departs Quito at 19:50, arrive in Paris at 13:50 the following day.

AF210: departs Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 13:10, arrive in Quito at 18:05.

Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from May 14 to October 26, 2019*.

This new offer complements KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and its daily flight between Quito – Guayaquil and Amsterdam-Schiphol by Boeing 777. With the arrival of Joon, our customers can combine routes and prices from both airlines, tailoring their journey around their preferences.

“The Air France-KLM team in Ecuador is very proud to announce the launch of the Quito-Paris route. This direct flight by Air France and operated by Joon bridges the gap between Ecuador, Europe and the world. Through the Paris-Charles de Gaulle hub our customers will be able to connect to more than 84 destinations in the Air France international network,” states Marie-Noëlle Landázuri, Ecuador Country Manager for Air France and KLM.

The Ecuadorian Minister of Tourism, Enrique Ponce De León was delighted with the news: “The launch of operations by Air France with Joon in Ecuador is a mark of the private company’s confidence in the country and confirms the strength of our tourism industry. This new Quito-Paris route will help to increase the number of visitors and adds to the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts to improve the promotion and connectivity of Ecuador across the world, opening new air routes”.

Álvaro Maldonado, Secretary for Productive Development and Competitiveness of the Municipality of Quito adds “this new destination with three direct weekly flights connects us to one of the most important and promising destinations and markets in the world. It represents more tourism, more business, more connectivity and more competitiveness. The quality of service and prestige of Air France will certainly add value to our airport and the city”.

*Subject to approval by the Directorate of Civil Aviation

Andrew O’Brian, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport, stated “for those of us at Quiport, the addition of Air France by Joon to the airlines that operate at the Mariscal Sucre Airport is a source of pride as it represents the success of our route development strategy aimed at increasing connectivity between Quito and Ecuador and important destinations worldwide, such as Paris. I would like to welcome Air France, one of the most prestigious and representative airlines in the air travel industry.”

The route that will connect Quito with Paris, the City of Light, will allow Joon’s customers to enjoy the airline’s savoir faire, that Air France special touch.

Joon, the new generation travel experience by Air France

Be carried away in Business, Joon takes care of everything
In the Business cabin, enjoy all the comforts of a real seat-bed. Your seat turns into a 2 meter-long seat-bed. The colors, fabrics and space ensure you will be totally relaxed in the Business cabin with all the comforts you require. Thanks to the fixed-shell seat, you benefit from a truly private space: welcome to your very own bubble of comfort where you will receive a welcome kit and a practical and stylish amenity kit. Enjoy our in-flight entertainment offer, with more than 1,200 hours of programs on a 15.6-inch HD touch screen, as well as noise-reducing headphones. Enjoy a complete meal with dishes designed by exceptional French chefs and let yourself be tempted by a signature cocktail concocted by the Experimental Cocktail Club3 for your aperitif and prepared by your Joon crew.

More space in Premium Economy
The Premium Economy cabin offers you a brand new seat with optimal comfort: a 133° seat recline, 99 cm of generous legroom and a 49 cm-wide seat. In your own Premium space, you benefit from specific products and services, with an amenity kit on arrival on board as well as a welcome drink. At mealtimes, your starters and desserts are inspired by those offered in the Business cabin and are accompanied by a choice of drink including champagne!

Stay on trend and connected in Economy
In the Economy cabin, you have 78 centimeters of legroom and a 118° seat recline. The seat is equipped with a latest generation touch screen and a USB plug to recharge your devices during the flight. A full meal service is also available with aperitifs, appetizers, main courts, French cheeses, dessert…

Air France-KLM Group in South America

With a new offer of 10 weekly flights from Ecuador in summer 2019, the Air France-KLM Group will offer 27 destinations in South America.

Reservations and payment at www.klm.ec

About Joon

Joon is the new generation travel experience by Air France. A trip designed for you that you can tailor according to your needs. Launched in December 2017, Joon has carried more than two million customers in Europe and worldwide from Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Its fleet consists of Airbus A320 and A321 on its medium-haul network and Airbus A340 on its long-haul network. Joon is an innovation laboratory for the Air France group, with a modular offer, in-flight catering, in-flight streaming with original content and multiple and innovative partnerships for a global travel experience. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Air France, the company will have a fleet of 28 Airbus aircraft in 2020 (18 A320/A321 and 10 A340/A350). Joon currently employs more than 500 people.