Quito's Airport Just Completed a $74 Million Expansion — and Aeroméxico Is Coming Back

Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport has completed a $74.2 million expansion — the largest infrastructure upgrade in its history — boosting annual passenger capacity from 5 million to over 7 million.

The project took 17 months of continuous construction (it originally began in 2019 but was paused during the pandemic and resumed in 2024). The airport is now one of the most modern in the Andean region.

What Was Built

The expansion added:

• 17,647 square meters of new terminal space
• 35,000 square meters of new apron (aircraft parking) area
• Expanded international arrivals and departures zones
• More check-in counters and operational areas
• A new pre-boarding lounge with 350-passenger seating capacity
• Additional aircraft parking positions
• Infrastructure for a future International VIP Lounge

The project was built by Ecuadorian firm Ekron and generated over 500 direct jobs and approximately 1,000 indirect jobs during construction — completed without a single serious accident.

First Sustainability-Certified Airport in Ecuador

The expansion earned EDGE certification, a global benchmark for energy, water, and carbon efficiency in buildings. It's the first airport project in Ecuador to receive this designation.

Aeroméxico Returns March 23

Separately, Aeroméxico announced it will resume direct flights between Quito and Mexico City starting March 23, 2026 — nearly two years after suspending the route during a diplomatic crisis between Ecuador and Mexico.

| Detail | Info | |--------|------| | Route | Quito (UIO) ↔ Mexico City (MEX) | | Frequency | 4x weekly (Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat) | | Aircraft | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | | Flight time | 4 hours 40 minutes | | Tickets | On sale now at aeromexico.com |

The return was facilitated by the airport operator Quiport, which has been actively courting international carriers to fill the expanded terminal capacity.

What This Means for Expats

Whether you fly through Quito regularly or occasionally, this matters:

• Less crowded terminals. The 40% capacity increase should mean shorter lines, fewer gate-area crowds, and a better overall experience — especially during holiday travel peaks.
• Mexico City connections. For expats who connect through MEX to reach U.S., Canadian, or European destinations, Aeroméxico's return reopens a major routing option. It also makes Mexico City itself a viable long-weekend trip from Ecuador.
• More airlines likely coming. Expanded infrastructure typically attracts new carriers. Quiport is actively marketing the new capacity to international airlines — expect more route announcements in 2026.
• Guayaquil comparison: GYE remains the primary international gateway for southern Ecuador (Cuenca, coast). But UIO's expansion narrows the gap. If you're flexible on departure city, check Quito fares — more competition means better prices.

The expansion doesn't change the Quito airport's one persistent drawback — it's still located in Tababela, about 45 minutes east of the city center (longer in traffic). But once you're inside, the experience should be meaningfully improved.

Sources: Quiport, Air Cargo Week, International Airport Review