News

• For the second year in a row, Quito International Airport’s cargo operation has received the Diamond Award (1st place) in the category of up to 399,999 tons per year, Top Cargo Airport in Latin America and Top Airport – Specialty Cargo.

The annual Air Cargo Excellence Awards recognize exceptional performance in the air transport industry. The awards are based on the Air Cargo Excellence Survey, which surveys more than 1,700 market participants to determine the top cargo carriers and airports in the world; which include Mariscal Sucre Airport as the winner of Top Airport – Specialty Cargo, Diamond Award for terminals with a capacity to transport up to 399,999 tons and the Regional Award for Top Cargo Airport in Latin America.

A total of 16 awards are given in recognition of the top carriers and airports in the cargo industry. There are 6 awards for air carriers in different categories and 8 awards for airports, and the highest scores are measured using several factors:

• Performance: Fulfills promises and contractual agreements; dependable, prompt and courteous customer service; allied services, ground handling, trucking, etc.
• Value: competitive rates; rates commensurate with service level required; value-added programs.
• Facilities: Apron, warehousing, perishables center; access to highways and other modes.
• Regulatory Operations: Customs, Security, FTZ (free trade zones).

The three awards achieved at the 2019 Air Cargo Excellence Awards highlight Corporación Quiport’s commitment as the concessionaire of Quito’s airport to turn it into a pole of development for air exports from the city and its area of influence, creating jobs and multiplying the resources brought to the country’s economy.

Since 2012, export cargo moved from Mariscal Sucre Airport has grown from 133,104 tons to 194,098 tons in 2018, a 46% increase, thanks to the operational advantages, infrastructure and efficiency of the operations offered by Quito Airport.

“The increase in exports from Quito, particularly of flowers which represent 92% of export volumes, has been very important. Today we have 8 cargo carriers that operate regularly in Quito and some 11 charter airlines. This has enabled us to, for example, break records in the past few years for the volume of exports during the St. Valentines season, which is the most important season for the country’s flower industry”, says Andrew O’Brian, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport.

This is the second consecutive year that the airport has received these three awards, confirming the excellent work of all stakeholders in the cargo operation at Quito Airport such as palletizers, airlines, consolidators and exporters.