Mariscal Sucre International Airport
Quito, Ecuador
Mariscal Sucre International Airport
Ecuador's primary international gateway serving high-altitude Quito.
- ›The airport replaced the old Mariscal Sucre Airport, which was located within the city and had limited runway length due to surrounding urban development.
- ›It sits at approximately 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) above sea level, making it one of the world's highest international airports.
- ›The airport is located in Tababela, about 18 km east of Quito's historic city center.
- ›The old airport site in northern Quito was redeveloped into an urban park and mixed-use district called Parque Bicentenario.
- ›Runway length at the new airport is approximately 4,100 meters, accommodating large wide-body aircraft safely.
Mariscal Sucre International Airport serves Quito, the high-altitude capital of Ecuador and a UNESCO World Heritage city. The current airport opened in 2013, replacing the old downtown facility and offering one of the longest runways in South America at 4,100 metres to handle the challenges of high-elevation operations. It serves as a key hub connecting Ecuador to major Latin American and international destinations.
- Main Terminal — A single integrated terminal handling all domestic and international departures and arrivals across two concourses.
- Aeroservicios airport bus connecting to central Quito and the old town
- Metrobus express routes linking the airport to the city's transit network
- Licensed taxis available at designated ranks outside arrivals
- Ride-hailing apps including Uber and InDriver operating from the airport
- Car rental desks from major companies including Hertz, Avis, and Budget in the arrivals hall
- Wyndham Quito Airport
- Hilton Garden Inn Quito Airport
- Howard Johnson Quito Airport
- NH Collection Quito Royal
- Marriott Quito
Inside the terminal, travellers will find a mix of local Ecuadorian food stalls, coffee shops, and international fast-food outlets spread across the departure levels. The airport features a food court area offering empanadas, ceviche, and regional snacks alongside familiar international chains. Outside the airport perimeter in the Tababela and Puembo areas, several local restaurants serve traditional Ecuadorian cuisine at more affordable prices.
- Quito sits at 2,800 metres above sea level — allow a day to acclimatise before strenuous activity and stay well hydrated.
- The airport is located in Tababela, roughly 45 kilometres from the historic city centre, so budget at least one hour for the transfer during off-peak hours.
- Keep small denomination US dollars (Ecuador's currency) handy for taxis and smaller vendors, as cards are not always accepted.
- Security checks at high-altitude airports can be thorough — arrive at least two to three hours before your international departure.
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Mariscal Sucre International Airport is an international airport serving Quito, Ecuador. It is the busiest airport in Ecuador. It is located in the Tababela parish, about 18 kilometres (11 mi) east of Quito, and because of its location it is also colloquially known as Tababela Airport. The airport currently serves as the main hub for Avianca Ecuador and the largest hub for LATAM Ecuador. It also served as the main hub for TAME, Ecuador's flag-carrier, before the airline was liquidated by the Ecuadorian government in 2020. The airport opened in February 2013 and replaced the 53-year old airport of the same name. The airport is named after independence leader Antonio José de Sucre. It was the first 5-star airport in the Western Hemisphere as rated by Skytrax.
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