New Quito International Airport opens

Ecuador’s new $700 million Quito International Airport opened Feb. 20, replacing the city’s 52-year-old Quito Mariscal Sucre airport, which closed a day earlier.

The new airport is located 24 kilometers east of Quito. Construction began in 2006 as a follow-up of the management privatization of old the Quito airport in 2002.

Management company Quiport expects the upgraded infrastructure—including a better geographical location and a longer runway—will allow airlines to introduce nonstop operations to destinations such as Madrid.