Airports in Ecuador

Ecuador is a small country bordering Colombia and Peru. It is a country of diverse landscape that includes the long coast, Amazon rainforest and Galapagos Islands. Besides the unique nature, Ecuador is famous for its production of chocolate, bananas and coffee.

If flying to Ecuador, it is good to know there are over 30 airports in the country. The two main international airports in Ecuador are Quito Airport and Guayaquil Airport, both rated among the top 50 best airports in the world according to travellers.

In this guide, we will present you most airports in Ecuador, including all major and international airports. At the end of a post, you will also find a map of all airports in Ecuador for easier navigation.

Quito Airport – IATA Code – UIO

~ 5 million passengers

Mariscal Sucre International Airport, as it is officially called, is an airport serving Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. Quito Airport is the busiest airport in the country and among the busiest airports in South America. Each year, the airport handles over 5 million passengers. There are around 20 airlines operating the airport which mainly serves as a hub for Avianca Ecuador, LATAM Ecuador and TAME. The airport offers flights to the rest of South America and to other continents including North America and Europe. Quito Airport is located around 40 km from the Quito downtown. Passengers can reach the city by bus, taxi or a private transfer. Other nearby destinations include Santo Domingo and Ibarra.

Guayaquil Airport – IATA Code – GYE

~ 4 million passengers

Guayaquil Airport, or officially José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport, is an airport serving the main port city in Ecuador, Guayaquil. It is the second-busiest airport in the country with almost 4 million passengers handled each year. There are nearly 20 airlines operating at the airport, the main ones being LATAM Ecuador and TAME. The airport offers connections to the rest of South America, as well as to North America and Europe. The airport is located within the city, only about 5 km from Guayaquil city centre. Therefore, passengers can get to and from the airport using a taxi or a private transfer. Several other destinations nearby include Duran and Milagro.

Baltra Airport – IATA Code – GPS

~ 500.000 passengers

Seymour Airport or Baltra Airport serves the Island of Baltra, one of the Galapagos Islands. The airport is known as the first “green” airport implementing many environmental innovations. Every year, the airport handles around half a million passengers via three airlines operating – Avianca Ecuador, LATAM Ecuador and TAME. In order to get from the airport to other destinations, passengers can use a combination of shuttle bus and a boat to get to Santa Cruz Island and National Park Galapagos. From there, passengers can use a bus or a taxi in order to get to the town of Puerto Ayora.

Cuenca Airport – IATA Code – CUE

~ 360.000 passengers

Mariscal Lamar International Airport, as it is fully named, is an airport serving the city of Cuenca. The airport handles around 360 000 passengers each year providing primarily domestic flights. The airlines operating the airport are LATAM Ecuador and TAME. The airport is located within the city of Cuenca, only a few kilometres from the city centre. Therefore, getting to Cuenca downtown can be done by taxi service or private transfer. Other destinations that can be found nearby include Gualaceo, Chordeleg and Chinquitad.

San Cristobal Airport – IATA Code – SCY

~ 200.000 passengers

San Cristobal Airport serves the island of San Cristobal, one of the Galapagos Islands. The airport handles around 200 000 passengers annually. The airlines operating the airport are Avianca Ecuador, LATAM Ecuador and TAME, all of them providing flights to Guayaquil and Quito. The airport is located in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and around 7 km from San Cristobal. In order to get to and from the airport, as well as other places on the island, passengers can use a taxi service.

Manta Airport – IATA Code – MEC

Also called: Eloy Alfaro International Airport
Passengers: ~ 160.000
Airline(s): Avianca Ecuador, LATAM Ecuador, TAME
Nearby city(s): Manta, Jaramijo, San Lorenzo

Coca Airport – IATA Code – OCC

Also called: Francisco de Orellana Airport
Passengers: ~ 110.000
Airline(s): Avianca Ecuador, LATAM Ecuador, TAME
Nearby city(s): Coca, San Sebastian del Coca, Joya de Los Sachas Cantón

Loja Airport – IATA Code – LOH

Also called: Ciudad de Catamayo Airport
Passengers: ~ 110.000
Airline(s): TAME
Nearby city(s): Catamayo, Loja, Tierras Coloradas

Nueva Loja Airport – IATA Code – LGQ

Also called: Lago Agrio Airport
Passengers: ~ 50.000
Airline(s): Avianca Ecuador, TAME
Nearby city(s): Nueva Loja, El Eno, El Dorado de Cascales

Esmeraldas Airport – IATA Code – ESM

Also called: Colonel Carlos Concha Torres Airport
Passengers: ~ 45.000
Airline(s): TAME
Nearby city(s): Esmeraldas, Vuelta Larga, Rio Verde Canton

Machala Airport – IATA Code – MCH

Also called: Santa Rosa International Airport
Passengers: ~ 40.000
Airline(s): LATAM Ecuador, TAME
Nearby city(s): Santa Rosa, Jumon, La Avanzada

Salinas Airport – IATA Code – SNC

Also called: General Ulpiano Paez Airport
Passengers: ~ 2000
Airline(s): TAME
Nearby city(s): Salinas, La Libertad, Santa Elena

Ambato Airport – IATA Code – ATF

Also called: Chachoan Airport
Nearby city(s): Ambato, Pillaro, Salasaca

Bahia de Caraquez Airport – IATA Code – BHA

Also called: Los Perales Airport
Nearby city(s): San Vicente, Bahia de Caraquez, Boca de Briceno

Latacunga Airport – IATA Code – LTX

Also called: Cotopaxi International Airport
Airline(s): TAME
Nearby city(s): Latacunga Canton, Pujili, Salcedo

Macara Airport – IATA Code – MRR

Also called: José María Velasco Ibarra Airport
Nearby city(s): Macara, Sozoranga Canton

Macas Airport – IATA Code – XMS

Also called: Edmundo Carvajal Airport
Nearby city(s): Macas, Sucua, Santiago de Méndez Cantón

Pastaza Airport – IATA Code – PTZ

Also called: Río Amazonas Airport
Nearby city(s): Pastaza, Shell, Mera

Tarapoa Airport – IATA Code – TPC

Nearby city(s): Tarapoa

Tulcan Airport – IATA Code – TUA

Also called: Teniente Coronel Luis A. Mantilla International Airport
Nearby city(s): Tulcan