Airport News

The new Mariscal Sucre International airport in Quito, Ecuador, has officially opened following an inauguration by President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa.

The last flight from the old airport departed at 7:07pm on 19 February and the new airport received its first aircraft at 9:07am on 20 February.

With two UN sustainability awards, and a brace of airport finance and structuring honours, the new airport boasts a 4.1km runway, the longest in South America. Providing direct connectivity to Quito’s major export and tourism markets, the airport will transform the export of roses and provide travel connections to tourist destinations such as Quito, Cotopaxi, and the Galapagos.

Mott MacDonald has acted as lenders’ advisor on the project since 2002, providing a full range of technical, commercial services and critical risk management services.

David Beare, Mott MacDonald’s principal transaction advisor, said, "This is a significant project that will leave a lasting legacy for the Ecuadorian people. The project team has overcome a number of significant risks through collaborative working in order to get the job done.

"The Municipality of Quito, the Quiport consortium, and the contractor have delivered a world-class airport facility that has significantly improved performance and customer service whilst addressing the municipality’s primary concerns of safety and security issues associated with the old and constrained location in the centre of town."

In partnership between the municipality and the airport's international investors, this project has provided training for 7,000 Ecuadorians and delivered over US$1bn (£659.2m) of economic benefit to the local Ecuadorian economy in construction alone.

It will continue to provide increased employment and inject over US$200m (£1.3m) annually into Greater Quito economy as the new facilities grow.

A new water pipeline built in association with the airport now provides a reliable water supply for over 120,000 people in the communities close to the airport.