Author: Rafael Orellana

With this event we commemorate World Wildlife Day, a day to remember that people around the world depend on resources based on wildlife and biodiversity to meet our needs, from food to fuel, medicine, living place and clothing. To be able to enjoy the benefits and beauty that nature offers to us and our planet.

The Secretariate of Environment of Quito, the Metropolitan Public Airport Services Company of Quito (EPMSA), the Metropolitan Public Company of Mobility and Public Works (EPMMOP), Corporación Quiport (Quito Airport Concessionaire), WCS Ecuador and the Environmental Fund of the capital, signed an Interinstitutional Cooperation Framework, in order to develop and implement strategic actions aimed at preventing wildlife trafficking at the national level and in the DMQ.

The signing of the agreement took place with a press conference that took place in Quito, through which the joint agreements were formalized. “Airports, like the one in Quito, are the entrances and exits for wildlife trafficking, thereforethe need to strengthen the capabilities in the control and sanctions that appear in the Environmental Organic Code of Ecuador for this type of infractions against the environment”, mentioned Sebastián Valdivieso, director of WCS Ecuador.

This collaboration involves the strengthening of capabilities of AVSEC Airport Security staff at the capital’s airport to reduce potential events of illegal wildlife trafficking, as well as the development of technical documents that contribute to the control, detection and prevention of this environmental crime in airport and land terminals. Also, the joint dissemination of communication campaigns is contemplated to raise awareness and educate users of these means of transportation and citizens in general about the impacts and risks associated with wildlife trafficking.

“The experience of all the institutions that we have joined forces to combat this environmental crime gives us a broader perspective to generate comprehensive and necessary public policy for the protection and efficient management of our environment,” said Santiago Sandoval, Secretary of the Environment of Quito.

One of the first actions to be implemented will be the continuous diffusion of a video on all the screens of the Quito International Airport, to massively communicate the message: “In Ecuador, wildlife trafficking is a crime,” in order to alert users about this problem that threatens biodiversity.

Within the framework of this event, the new launch of the national campaign “Stop wildlife trafficking. Let’s protect biodiversity” was carried out. This is an initiative led by the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, which since 2017 has positioned the country as a reference in strategic actions to combat the third largest global problem, wildlife trafficking.

Some additional information

Quito is the capital of biodiversity, part of Ecuador, one of the 17 most biodiverse countries in the world. The entire Metropolitan District is home to more than 500 species of birds, 102 species of mammals, 77 species of amphibians, 46 species of reptiles and 21 species of fish.

The Chocó Andino contains 11 of the 15 ecosystems of the Metropolitan District of Quito, where around 50,000 inhabitants live, among landscapes of forests, bushes and grasslands with extraordinary productive and gastronomic wealth. Seven of the eight areas of the Metropolitan Subsystem of Protected Natural Areas are located, the ACUS Mashpi, Pachijal, Yunguilla, Mojanda Cambugán, Camino de Los Yumbos, AIER Pichincha Atacazo, Andean Bear Ecological Corridor.

In the vertiginous world of aviation, punctuality represents a crucial distinctive. The delay of one flight can trigger a series of delays on several additional flights, which in many cases implies costs for airlines, airports and, of course, passengers.

In this scenario, Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport wins the title of “Most On-TimeAirport” in the small airport category, according to the ‘2023 On-Time Performance Review’, by Cirium, the source of aviation analysis , which celebrates the operational excellence of the world’s airports and airlines.

Operational efficiency in figures: 90.29% departures.

The outstanding position of Quito airport is translated into concrete numbers: 90.29% of flights left its facilities on time. These figures reflect the airport’s dedication to optimizing every phase of the journey, from check-in to landing.

“The operation of an airport can be compared to a symphony orchestra in which all the musicians master their instruments to perfection, but an orchestra conductor is also required to set the exact times in which each group of instruments must enter and exit so that the entire orchestra executes the musical piece with mastery. Each of the companies that operate at the Mariscal Sucre airport is an expert in its work, and to this is added the extraordinary coordination carried out by our Operations team,” explained Ramón Miró, president and CEOof Corporación Quiport.

Technological innovation: biometric doors and revolutionary automation.

Excellence in punctuality is not only an achievement, but a philosophy for Quito airport. The implementation of cutting-edge technologies has been key to this success. Biometric doors and automated systems have revolutionized critical processes such as entry to security filters, international pre-boarding and immigration. These innovations not only streamline procedures, but also contribute to a safer and more efficient experience for passengers.

Evident commitment: definition of punctuality and international recognition.

The airport’s commitment is manifested in its precise definition of punctuality: a flight departure within 15 minutes of the scheduled time. These rigorous standards have placed Quito at the top of the list of the most punctual airports in the world.

Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium, said: “This achievement is not just about punctuality, it is about the relentless pursuit of excellence and the incredible teamwork that is required every day… Congratulations to the entire team at Mariscal Sucre Airport for setting a global standard in aviation, their hard work, innovation and team spirit are truly inspiring and we look forward to them reaching even greater heights in the years to come.”

The results of the 2023 On-Time Performance review reveal that the winners, including Quito Airport, not only met expectations, but set new standards in operational performance and punctuality. With these credentials, Mariscal Sucre Airport embarks on 2024 with a promising reputation for operational excellence, consolidating its position as a benchmark in the global airport industry.

Today, with a special event, the 50 million passenger at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport was celebrated. The airport began its operations in the new location on February 20th, 2013.

According to estimates and statistics, within the group of passengers on the flights waiting in the international pre-boarding hall A11, the lucky one was found. Since it is impossible to determine exactly who the 50 million passenger is (hundreds of passengers enter and leave the airport simultaneously), Quiport decided to celebrate with all the passengers in the holdroomand reward them.

The celebration began with music, bugles and confetti. Curious passengers smiled at this unusual activity. As part of the surprise, the seats in that holdroom were strategically selected to hide various gifts. Passengers were invited to check under their seats, where they discoveredshopping orders to redeem at a variety of stores and services within the terminal. “I won!” was the phrase that could be heard in different parts of the place, and with laughs and surprise gestures, the winners anxiously headed to the different commercial premises.

This initiative, led by the concessionaire Quiport, provided an unforgettable experience to passengers, creating a special moment that added a unique touch to their trip.

In this regard, Ramón Miró, president and CEO of Quiport, mentioned: “We congratulate the 50 million passenger and thank all the travelers who have contributed to making Quito airport a reference point in the industry. We hope to continue sharing more milestones and successes in the future. Thank you to everyone who trusts in our airport and has consolidated it as the main entry and exit door of Ecuador!”

Currently, 17 airlines operate at Quito airport, connecting to 18 international and 8 national destinations. An average of 15,000 passengers per day and 5.4 million passengers per year are transported through the airport.

On several occasions, Mariscal Sucre has been recognized by important national and international organizations as a 5-star Airport, Best Regional Airport in South America, Best Airport Staff in South America and Airport with the most dedicated staff, Cleanest Airport in South America, Airport with the easiest trip, most pleasant airport, among others.

On Thursday, February 22nd, Ramón Miró, President and CEO of Quiport, participated as a panelist in the 1st Responsible Tourism Forum, organized by the British Ecuadorian Chamber (BRITCHAM UIO) in Qutio. The event brought together national and international experts in the tourism sector to address crucial issues about the sustainable development of the sector.

Quiport was part of the “Good Practices and Challenges Panel in the tourism sector to boost sustainable development”. In this space, Ramón Miró shared the stage with prominent leaders of the sector such as Paulina Burbano de Lara, CEO of Metropolitan Touring, and Mónica Fistrovic, CEO of Latam Airlines Ecuador. These three key tourism actors in the country shared their experiences, strategies, projects and initiatives aimed at promoting responsible and sustainable practices in tourism, benefiting both local communities and the environment.

During his speech, Ramón Miró highlighted the areas in which Quiport works in favor of sustainability, such as carbon neutrality, waste management and recycling, air quality, energy consumption, reforestation and conservation of wildlife. In addition, he highlighted the company’s social commitment in aspects such as the empowerment of collaborators and social responsibility programs.

He placed special emphasis on the triple impact, social, environmental and good governance, which are part of the fundamental pillars of Quiport that do not give up. “We are one of the few carbon-neutral airports. We obtained it in 2019, in 2020 the pandemic arrived and until now we continue uninterruptedly with this certification, despite the circumstances we experienced due to the health emergency, we do not sacrifice that aspect because it is important for us.”

Regarding work team, Ramón Miró thanked the staff for being committed to the good performance of the airport and the sustainability that is everyone’s responsibility, adding: “We understand, we contribute and we are part of the solutions that we must find, and that happens not only at the level of Quiport, but also at the airport community, the communities surrounding the airport and the government. He concluded by commenting: “Working on sustainability must be a priority. We must surround ourselves with people with moral principles who push us to be better. Our airport has accomplished great things and moved forward because it is surrounded by good partners and great people.”

According to the BRITCHAM UIO, this event was supported by The Latin American Travel Association (LATA), based in London, whose mission is to promote Latin America as an attractive tourist destination and stimulate the growth of travel to the region, as well as the strengthening and collaboration between tourism companies from Ecuador and the United Kingdom, highlighting the Ecuadorian offer of sustainable tourism.

• With 26,466 tons, a growth of 17.3% was registered compared to 2023 Valentine’s Day, the highest since 2013.

• With 1,942 tons of cargo exported, Friday, February 2nd, was the day of the season with the highest volume. 

• The expansion of the export cargo terminal was key to enhancing operational efficiency.

2024 Valentine’s flower export season ended with very positive numbers at Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport, with a total of 26,466 metric tons of flowers sent to the world, reaching a record in the airport’s 11 years of operation.This figure corresponds to a growth of 17.3% compared to the tonnage exported in 2023, which was 22,568 metric tons.

At the Quito airport, the season began on January 18 and extended until February 9. During this season, 16 airlines operated at the Quito airport cargo with a total of 487 outbound cargo flights, a number that also constitutes a historical record for the Valentine’s season.

The peak day of exports, that is, the day in which the most freighter operations and the highest volume of flowers were registered, was Friday, February 2nd, with 1,942 metric tons sent through 31 flights, also being the day with the highest volume of exports in the entire history of Quito airport.

Throughout these 23 days, the entire logistics chain within the Mariscal Sucre airport demonstrated once again that it is prepared to manage large volumes of export cargo.

The expansion of the export cargo terminal, which grew by 2,880 square meters in the cargo entry and processing areas, as well as the growth of the maneuvering area for trucks, was one of the factors that allowed more efficient air cargo.

“I want to thank all the airlines that operated on this Valentine’s Day 2024, as well as the ramp service companies that provide all ground assistance to the operation for their commitment to the development of the country and for their great professionalism and, especially, to the companies specialized in cargo palletizing that operate at the Quito airport: Novacargo, Servipallet, Pertraly and Novasan, which invested in the expansion of the cargo terminal to offer greater logistical and operational ease,” said Ramón Miró, president and CEO of Quiport.

“The Mariscal Sucre is one of the most powerful development poles that the city and the country has. It is the main air cargo airport in Ecuador and one of the most important in Latin America, which allows Quito to have access by air to key markets around the world, that is the vision with which we are working at CorporaciónQuiport”, concluded Ramón Miró.

• Valentine’s Day is the highest cargo season at the Quito airport.

• The maneuvering area in the cargo apron as well as the palletizing area for cargo processing iwere expanded to provide a more efficient service.

• 92% of cargo transported from Quito airport is flowers.

Today the Valentine’s Day cargo season begins at the Quito airport, which will last until February 11, 2024. This period represents the most important phase of cargo operations at Quito Airport. To guarantee efficient service, significant improvements to thefacilities have been made.

Starting this season, the logistics process at the airport will be significantly optimized. Thanks to a strategic investment between companies specialized in cargo palletizing that operate at the Quito airport which include Novacargo, Servipallet, Pertraly and Novasan, the maneuvering area in the cargo apron and the processing area in the palletizers have been expanded. The expansion, which has added 2,880 square meters to the facilities, will enable much more efficient and comfortable cargo reception and processing.

With an extensive and cutting-edge infrastructure, and the operation of more than 15 cargo airlines, with flights between regular and charter, this year a growth in exported tonnage is expected for the Valentine’s season compared to the previous year, thanks to the increase in capacity offered by cargo airlines at the Quito airport.

“We maintain our commitment to the development of the air cargo industry in Ecuador. The expansions carried out and the strategic collaboration with palletizing companies are testimony of our dedication to facilitate airport cargo services in Mariscal Sucre. We are excited by the projected growth and we are confident that our airport will continue to play a fundamental role in this area,” said Ramón Miró, president and CEO ofQuiport.

At the international cargo terminal, four palletizing companies work, in charge of assembling the pallets of flower boxes according to the specifications of the aircraft in which they will be transported. These pallets are stored in cold rooms until they must be shipped to their destinations. In addition, the Mariscal Sucre airport has a logistics center where several cargo agencies carry out the consolidation processes of flowers from various producing farms.

The Quito International Airport informs citizens about the measures

that have been defined to protect the safety of passengers, users, airport personnel, facilities

and air operations, in coordination with the National Government, the General Directorate of

Civil Aviation and the Municipality of Quito.

Airport operations remain open and the measures are as follows:

• Only passengers who carry their travel documents, that is, passport or citizenship card and

air ticket or boarding pass, will be able to access the air terminal.

• Family members or other visitors will not be allowed to enter the terminal to drop off or receive

passengers.

• Crowds of people will not be allowed on the sidewalks of the passenger terminal either.

• Control and screening of passengers and luggage will be strengthened.

• Random checks will be carried out on vehicles before entering the airport.

• Passengers are requested not to leave their belongings or hand luggage unattended.

We ask citizens to collaborate with these measures and passengers are recommended to go

to the airport with more time in advance considering these additional controls. We also

recommend that passengers stay informed through official channels and confirm the status of

their flights with their airlines.

During the curfew, travelers who must travel to and from the airport can do so with their travel

documents: passport or ID and air ticket or boarding pass.

The firm Choice Cargo, General Sales Agent, commercial representative of the cargo airline Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), a world leader in cargo transportation, announced the start of operations at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito with the arrival of the first aircraft of the company. The company has established two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Fridays, operated with Boeing 777-200 aircraft with a cargo capacity of 85 tons to transport flowers especially from Quito to Miami, Liege and Amsterdam. The operation of the airline will make greater cargo transportation capacity available to exporters at a key moment such as the beginning of the Valentine’s season. Diego Íñiguez, CEO of Choice Cargo and MSC representative in Ecuador, said: “We thank MSC for allowing us to be part of this exciting journey. Together, we will offer unparalleled experiences to our customers. Today, we open a new chapter by providing innovative cargo services, connecting markets and strengthening our business relationships. “MSC will offer two flights per week, with the expectation of increasing this frequency in the near future.” Given the appreciated quality of the Ecuadorian flower in the international market, a growing need is identified to expand flight capacity, thus contributing to the development of exports.

In his intervention, Allan Padilla, Chief Operating Officer of Corporación Quiport, highlighted the constant rise of air cargo operations at the Quito International Airport. “With a record of 340 thousand metric tons transported in 2023, the airport is positioned as the main air cargo transport port in the country and occupies a prominent role in Latin America due to its annual cargo volume. “MSC Air Cargo’s initiative will provide exporters with additional cargo transport capacity, especially crucial at the start of the Valentine’s season.” In addition, he reiterated Quiport’s willingness to collaborate closely for the benefit of the productive sectors and the development of the city’s connectivity. The new operation will serve to increase the supply of capacity for the export of flowers and other products.

The Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito closed 2023 with figures and amanagement level that evidence the recovery of air transport service, after three years in which, Quiport and the entire airport community, worked to overcome the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic that began in 2020 which represented the largest crisis in the history of air transport on a global scale.

Passenger traffic in 2023 reached 5.4 million passengers, exceeding the 5 million passengers in 2019, the reference year before the Covid-19 pandemic. 15 passenger airlines serve 18 direct international destinations and 8 domestic destinations, maintaining Quito as the best-connected city in Ecuador.

In 2022, total passenger traffic reached 4.3 million, still suffering the effects of the pandemic.

In addition, in 2023 four new international direct routes were opened to Medellín, New York, Cancún and Orlando, expanding the offer of non-stop destinations from Quito. Similarly, there was also an increase in capacity either with more frequencies or using larger aircraft on already established routes.

The performance of connectivity growth is a demonstration of the confidence of the airlines in the city and in the management potential of Quiport at the Mariscal Sucre airport. This important growth would not have been possible without the joint work between the Metropolitan Public Airport Services Company (EPMSA), the Ministries of Tourism and Transportation and Public Works, the airlines, the Directorate of Civil Aviation and Quiport as a concessionaire, offering favorable conditions so the new routes can be sustainable from the beginning of their operation.

Air cargo maintains its growth trend

In air cargo, Quito airport broke its historical record. 340 thousand metric tons of export, import and national cargo were transported in 2023, exceeding the 243 thousand metric tons in 2019 and 289 thousand metric tons in 2022. Regarding exports, 282 thousand metric tons left from the Quito airport. 92% corresponds to flowers, the main export product by air.

“The teamwork that was deployed in 2023 by Quiport and the entire airport community has been the key to the recovery of passenger traffic and the growth of cargo handled at the Quito airport. If we have learned something good from the crisis caused by Covid, it has been to develop the ability to reinvent ourselves and adapt to circumstances in order to find new solutions of doing things in a good way and as a team,” explained Ramón Miró, president and general director. of Quiport Corporation.

Technological transformation and infrastructure improvements

The results achieved in the management of the Quito airport are complemented by the execution of improvement works in the facilities and a technological transformation project aimed at enhancing efficiency, safety and traveler experience.

In terms of technology, the Mariscal Sucre airport became the first in the country to implement biometrics in airport processes. The project incorporates biometric systems for immigration control in international arrivals thanks to a public-private cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior. It also includes boarding on Delta airline flights to the United States, directly connecting the airline’s databases with the information from Customs and Border Protection of the United States, being the first airport in Latin America to incorporate this technology. And finally, automatic doors for access to security filters, facilitating the control process carried out by EPMSA.

In terms of facilities improvements, 3,260 square meters of ceramic were replaced with granite in the airline check-in areas, entry corridors to security filters and the departure migration room. Added to this are projects to remodel the security filter area and the reopening of the children’s play area in the national pre-boarding area.

Also in 2023, we began expanding the domestic VIP lounge to double its capacity in order to maintain the quality standard in service to users of this space.

Awards

The above-mentioned results and the management deployed this year did not go unnoticed by our passengers and the air transport industry. Quiport and the Quito international airport received more than 15 national and international awardss and certifications, including the following:

•​Best Regional Airport in South America, Cleanest Airport and Best Airport Staff, by Skytrax’s World Airport Awards program.

•​Best Airport in Latin America and the Caribbean in the category of 5 to 15 million annual passengers, Cleanest Airport, Most Pleasant Airport and Most Dedicated Staff, by the Airport Service Quality program of the Airport Council International.

•​Level 5 – the highest level in the Airports Council International Passenger Experience Certification program. Only the airports in Incheon (South Korea) and Quito (Ecuador) have reached level 5.

•Leading Airport in South America by World Travel Awards.

•​Several awards and certifications in the environmental and social responsibility dimensions.

“All these management milestones ratify the leadership of Quiport and the Mariscal Sucre International Airport on a national, regional and global scale, and at the same time, allow the Quito airport to be projected into the future to overcome new challenges and achieve increasingly higher goals in connectivity, passenger service, safety, efficiency and contribution to development within a sustainable management framework. Great things await us in the future. 2024 will be a year in which we will have even more positive news for the airport, the city and the country,” concluded Ramón Miró.

The Mariscal Sucre International Airport becomes the first airport in Ecuador to implement automated solutions in airport processes. The project incorporates biometric systems for immigration control in international arrivals and boarding on Delta airline flights to the United States. It also includes automatic doors for access to security filters. This initiative is part of a technological transformation project at the Quito airport, aimed at enhancing efficiency, security and traveler experience.

Biometric doors in immigration arrival control.

Passengers with an Ecuadorian biometric passport (with chip) and who are over 18 years old can now use one of the 5 biometric doors that have been installed to carry out this process in a personal and automated way, which reduces service times from 1 minute 30 seconds to 45 seconds per person.

How does it work?

If eligible, passengers must approach to the biometric gate, scan their boarding pass and passport on the scanning screen, wait for data confirmation, and position for facial recognition. If everything is in order, the doors will open automatically, allowing the passenger to continue through the airport.

Since this implementation began in the testing phase on August 14, more than 11,000 passengers have taken advantage of these biometric doors, significantly improving waiting times.

Biometric doors for boarding on Delta flights to the United States

Two biometric gates, located in pre-boarding A10 and A12 gates, have transformed the boarding process for direct flights to the United States. This innovative system, initially operational only for Delta flights, uses advanced facial recognition technology that connects with the airline’s screening systems and links directly to the United States Customs and Border Protection. In this way, passengers only have to stand in front of the screen and, once facial recognition and data verification have been carried out, the door opens automatically to board the plane.

How does it work?

At boarding time, passengers approach to the biometric gate without assistance, avoiding the traditional scanning of the boarding pass and passport. Within seconds, facial recognition is complete, and the system instantly integrates with the airline and CBP system to verify passenger information. With successful verification and if there are no impediments, the door opens for the passenger to access the plane.

Access doors to the security filter area

The installation of automatic doors for access to security filters allows instant verification of the passenger’s boarding pass to speed up the process and go directly to the filters.

Ramón Miró, president and CEO of Quiport, the concessionaire company of the Quito airport, mentioned: “The implementation of biometric gates at the Quito airport is an innovation that automates three essential airport processes. “We are proud to be pioneers in the adoption of this cutting-edge technology in Ecuador, which reinforces our commitment of providing an excellent experience to our passengers.”