List of Airports in Ecuador
As of 2024, there are 27 airports throughout the country of Ecuador according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Ecuador are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in Ecuador
| # | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bahia De Caraquez Airport | BHA | Bahia De Caraquez | Small |
| 2 | Baltra Airport | GPS | Galapagos Is | Small |
| 3 | Chachoan Airport | ATF | Ambato | Small |
| 4 | Coca Airport | OCC | Coca | Small |
| 5 | Cotapaxi International Airport | LTX | Latacunga | Small |
| 6 | Cuenca Airport | CUE | Cuenca | Small |
| 7 | Esmeraldas Airport | ESM | Esmeraldas | Small |
| 8 | Jipijapa Airport | JIP | Jipijapa | Small |
| 9 | Lago Agrio Airport | LGQ | Lago Agrio | Small |
| 10 | Loja Airport | LOH | Loja | Small |
| 11 | Macara Airport | MRR | Macara | Small |
| 12 | Macas Airport | XMS | Macas | Small |
| 13 | Machala Airport | MCH | Machala | Small |
| 14 | Manta Airport | MEC | Manta | Small |
| 15 | Mariscal Sucr Airport | UIO | Quito | Medium |
| 16 | Mendez Airport | MZD | Mendez | Small |
| 17 | Pastaza Airport | PTZ | Pastaza | Small |
| 18 | Portoviejo Airport | PVO | Portoviejo | Small |
| 19 | Putumayo Airport | PYO | Putumayo | Small |
| 20 | Salinas Airport | SNC | Salinas | Small |
| 21 | San Cristobal Airport | SCY | San Cristobal | Small |
| 22 | Simon Bolivar Airport | GYE | Guayaquil | Medium |
| 23 | Sucua Airport | SUQ | Sucua | Small |
| 24 | Taisha Airport | TSC | Taisha | Small |
| 25 | Tarapoa Airport | TPC | Tarapoa | Small |
| 26 | Tiputini Airport | TPN | Tiputini | Small |
| 27 | Tulcan Airport | TUA | Tulcan | Small |
Major Airports in Ecuador
1. Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)
Airport Code: UIO
Time Zone: Ecuador Time (ECT)
Address: Avenida Amazonas, Quito 170150, Ecuador
Nearby Cities:
- Quito – 9.3 miles
- Rumiñahui – 12.5 miles
- Ibarra – 50 miles
- Latacunga – 48 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Avianca
- LATAM Ecuador
- American Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- Aeromexico
- Iberia
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approx. 5.6 million passengers annually (as of 2019)
Airport Location and History
Mariscal Sucre International Airport is located in the capital city of Quito, Ecuador, at an altitude of 2,400 meters (7,900 feet) above sea level, which makes it one of the highest international airports in the world. The airport is named after Antonio José de Sucre, a prominent South American military leader and hero of Ecuador’s independence. The current airport opened in 2013, replacing the former Quito International Airport, which was located closer to the city center. The new location was chosen for its better accessibility and larger space to accommodate growing air traffic and modern airport infrastructure.
Historically, Quito’s original airport, inaugurated in the 1960s, had limitations due to its location in the city center and surrounding mountainous terrain. Mariscal Sucre Airport’s construction was part of a broader effort to modernize Ecuador’s aviation infrastructure. Today, the airport serves as a hub for both domestic and international flights, with heavy traffic from Latin American destinations, as well as direct connections to Europe and the United States. The airport also plays a vital role in Ecuador’s tourism industry, which draws visitors to its diverse culture, natural beauty, and historic landmarks.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Mariscal Sucre International Airport has a modern terminal with state-of-the-art amenities, including duty-free shops, restaurants, lounges, and baggage handling systems. The airport is designed to handle both international and domestic flights, with a focus on efficiency and passenger experience. It has a single runway, Runway 18/36, which is 4,100 meters (13,450 feet) long. The runway is fully capable of handling wide-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350, making it suitable for long-haul international flights to destinations in North America, Europe, and beyond.
The terminal building has been designed to handle up to 7 million passengers annually, though plans for expansion are underway to accommodate growing traffic. In terms of transportation, the airport is well-connected to the city of Quito via taxis, shuttles, and public buses. There are also car rental services available at the airport. The airport’s infrastructure is designed to be sustainable, with a focus on reducing its environmental impact, which includes energy-efficient systems and a waste recycling program.
2. Guayaquil José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE)
Airport Code: GYE
Time Zone: Ecuador Time (ECT)
Address: Guayaquil 090150, Ecuador
Nearby Cities:
- Guayaquil – 4.2 miles
- Daule – 9.3 miles
- Samborondón – 10.4 miles
- Durán – 5.9 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- LATAM Ecuador
- Avianca
- American Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- Aeromexico
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approx. 5.4 million passengers annually (as of 2019)
Airport Location and History
José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport is located in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest port city and a vital economic hub. The airport is named after José Joaquín de Olmedo, a hero of Ecuador’s independence and a former president of the country. The airport is situated about 6.8 kilometers (4.2 miles) from the city center and serves as the primary gateway for air travel to the coastal region of Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands.
The airport has undergone several expansions since it was initially opened in 1960. It has steadily grown in size and importance, reflecting Guayaquil’s increasing role in Ecuador’s trade, tourism, and industrial sectors. Today, José Joaquín de Olmedo is the busiest airport in Ecuador by passenger traffic and offers both international and domestic flights, with key connections to North America, Central America, and South America. The airport is also a hub for Ecuadorian carrier Avianca Ecuador and handles significant traffic from the tourism sector, with tourists flocking to the Galápagos Islands and nearby coastal attractions.
Facilities and Infrastructure
José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport has a modern terminal with a variety of services designed to enhance the passenger experience, including shopping, dining, lounges, and duty-free stores. The airport is equipped with one runway, Runway 09/27, which is 3,400 meters (11,155 feet) long. This runway is capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 747 and Airbus A330, making it suitable for long-haul flights to international destinations.
In addition to the main terminal, there are cargo facilities that handle goods traveling to and from the region’s port and industrial centers. The airport is well connected to the city center by taxis, buses, and private transport services. There are also car rental services available. The airport is currently undergoing a renovation and expansion project to improve its infrastructure and capacity, aiming to handle an increasing number of passengers as Ecuador’s tourism industry continues to grow.
3. Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)
Airport Code: UIO
Time Zone: Ecuador Time (ECT)
Address: Quito 170150, Ecuador
Nearby Cities:
- Quito – 9.3 miles
- Latacunga – 48 miles
- Rumiñahui – 12.5 miles
- Ibarra – 50 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Avianca
- LATAM Ecuador
- American Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- Iberia
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approx. 5.6 million passengers annually (as of 2019)
Airport Location and History
Mariscal Sucre International Airport is located in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, situated at an altitude of over 2,400 meters (7,900 feet). The airport’s location at high altitude makes it one of the highest international airports globally. Initially, the airport opened in the 1960s and operated out of a smaller facility located closer to the city center. In 2013, the airport was moved to a new, modern location in Tababela, about 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Quito, offering improved infrastructure, larger capacity, and better accessibility.
The airport is named after Antonio José de Sucre, a leader in the wars of independence and a key figure in Ecuador’s history. Since its relocation and modernization, Mariscal Sucre International has become a critical hub for international flights connecting Ecuador with North America, Europe, and other Latin American countries. It also plays a vital role in supporting Ecuador’s tourism, trade, and overall economic development. The airport remains an essential gateway for tourists visiting Quito and nearby attractions such as the Andes mountains, the Galápagos Islands, and cultural landmarks.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Mariscal Sucre Airport features a large terminal equipped with modern amenities, including restaurants, shopping, VIP lounges, and other services designed for both business and leisure travelers. The airport has a single runway, Runway 18/36, which is 4,100 meters (13,450 feet) in length. This runway is capable of handling wide-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350, making it suitable for international flights to destinations in North America, Europe, and Asia.
The airport’s infrastructure includes modern baggage handling systems, security protocols, and ample check-in counters to handle its increasing passenger traffic. The terminal also features lounges for both business and economy class passengers, and there are transportation options including taxis, shuttle buses, and private car rentals. With future expansion plans underway, the airport aims to meet the demands of a growing aviation market in Ecuador and support the country’s continued development as a key tourism destination.
4. Cuenca Mariscal Lamar Airport (CUE)
Airport Code: CUE
Time Zone: Ecuador Time (ECT)
Address: Aeropuerto Mariscal Lamar, Cuenca, Ecuador
Nearby Cities:
- Cuenca – 1.2 miles
- Azogues – 17.6 miles
- Loja – 116 miles
- Ambato – 127 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- LATAM Ecuador
- Avianca
- TAME
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approx. 250,000 passengers annually (pre-2020 data)
Airport Location and History
Cuenca Mariscal Lamar Airport is located in the city of Cuenca, one of the major cities in southern Ecuador. The airport is named after the Ecuadorian military hero Mariscal Lamar, who played a pivotal role in Ecuador’s history. Cuenca’s airport serves as a key regional gateway, especially for travelers heading to the southern highlands of Ecuador or looking to explore the region’s cultural and natural attractions.
The airport has existed since the 1950s, but its current terminal was inaugurated in 2016 after extensive upgrades to meet growing demand and improve passenger services. Cuenca is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage city, attracting tourists from around the world. The airport’s upgrade has supported the city’s growing tourism industry, facilitating air travel to and from major hubs like Quito and Guayaquil. Though smaller than the international airports in Quito or Guayaquil, the airport plays an essential role in southern Ecuador’s air connectivity.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Cuenca Mariscal Lamar Airport has a single terminal serving both domestic and regional flights. The airport features a single runway, Runway 10/28, which is 2,200 meters (7,218 feet) long. While the runway can accommodate medium-sized aircraft, it is not capable of handling larger, wide-body aircraft typically used for long-haul international flights.
The airport has undergone significant infrastructure upgrades, including a modernized terminal with check-in counters, baggage claim facilities, lounges, and car rental services. Ground transportation includes taxis and shuttle services that connect the airport to the city center and nearby towns. Although smaller in scale compared to other Ecuadorian airports, Mariscal Lamar plays a key role in connecting Cuenca to Ecuador’s larger cities and facilitating tourism to the region.