News

• Plus Ultra launched its operations this Friday, July 12. It is the latest Spanish airline that will encourage tourism and trade between Ecuador and Spain.
• Corporación Quiport’s management of Mariscal Sucre Airport has resulted in an airport service which has achieved prestige in the eyes of its users and the air transport industry.

As a result of the sustained implementation of the route development strategy for Mariscal Sucre Airport led by Corporación Quiport, this Friday, July 12 Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas launched its inaugural flight on the Madrid-Quito route. The company will offer three weekly flights.

This morning, with its first group of passengers- including Cristóbal Roldán, Ambassador of Ecuador to Spain as the “first passenger of honor” – Plus Ultra launched the new route which aims to create connections and unite people.

The ceremony for the inaugural flight of Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas was held at departure lounge A11 at Mariscal Sucre Airport in Tababela and was attended by authorities from tourism, air transport, Quito city council and representatives from Corporación Quiport and Plus Ultra.

“Since the start of our operation we have implemented a culture of improvement to reach ever higher standards. Plus Ultra will be an option to connect to a very important community for Ecuador and to strengthen relations with Spain, increasing tourism for the city and country”, says Andrew O’Brian, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport.

The anticipation for the start of operations has been reflected by the more than 10,000 reservations made before the launch, with a further 30,000 bookings expected by December, confirms Julio Martínez Solá, Executive Vice President of Plus Ultra in Spain, who also mentions that the aim of the Spanish airline is to “contribute to the tourism exchange between Spain and Ecuador”.

Rosi Prado de Holguín, Minister of Tourism, referred positively to the arrival of Plus Ultra in the country, “Ecuador warmly welcomes the Spanish airline Plus Ultra, which from today will shorten distances with its direct flight and will facilitate tourism and business opportunities between Spain and Ecuador”.

Plus Ultra will operate with an Airbus 340-300 with capacity for 303 passengers in economy and business class. The airline will seek to innovate in the way of travelling to Europe, allowing three bags per passenger.

“With our new route, from today we hope to encourage a virtuous exchange between our countries, to bring the best of Ecuador to Spain and the best of Spain to Ecuador”states Martínez Solá regarding the philosophy of Plus Ultra. “To create connections and unite people is our raison d’etre, and today is a great day as part of this great purpose. Our desired route between Ecuador and Spain launches today, with the aim to contribute to exchange between both countries.”

Before 8:00 a.m., the aircraft received a send-off with a water cannon salute, an aviation tradition. The aircraft was also blessed by father Abel Carvajal, the priest of the neighboring Yaruquí parish. The maiden flight took-off for Madrid with a layover in Guayaquil.

Quito International Airport is the main gateway to Ecuador. Thanks to its technical characteristics and teamwork between the state-owned company and Quiport, there has been a significant increase in connectivity for Quito and the country, fulfilling the common goal to encourage tourism, cultural exchange and the creation of new business opportunities for Ecuador.