On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, Quiport announced that the Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito will resume its expansion to "improve the passenger experience and increase operational capacity."

In November 2019, the expansion of the passenger terminal began but was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Quiport, the investment amounts to USD 74.2 million. Of this amount, USD 19.1 million has already been spent, and USD 55.1 million is "yet to be executed."

There are four levels in the terminal expansion, which is an additional 25% and will be carried out between 2024 and 2025:

Level 0:

- Expansion of technical rooms and storage areas

Level 1:

- Expansion of the public arrivals hall

- Baggage claim area

- Increase in the capacity of international baggage carousels

- Reconfiguration of the Customs area

- Expansion of the duty-free store and baggage handling system

Level 2:

- Expansion of the public departures hall

- Passenger check-in area with 20 new counters and 12 self-check-in machines

- Pre-boarding lounge for 350 passengers

- New dining spaces

- Expansion of the international departure duty-free store

Level 3:

- Expansion of the international VIP lounge

Beginning this Thursday, August 1, 2024, the increased conservation fee for entry to the protected areas of the Galápagos will be applied, as mandated by the government of Daniel Noboa. National tourists will pay five times more, and foreign tourists, double.

With these new fees, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism aims to stabilize mass tourism to the islands and maintain the well-being of the ecosystems and inhabitants.

The increase was approved on February 24 by the Governing Council of the islands. The new fees are as follows:

Ecuadorian citizens and residents:

• Children under 2 years old: Free

• Children 2 to 11 years old: $15

• Persons 12 years or older: $30 (previously $6)

• Persons over 65 years old: $15

• Persons with disabilities holding a CONADISUS card: $15

Foreign citizens from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay:

• Children under 2 years old: Free

• Children 2 to 11 years old: $50

• Persons 12 years or older: $100

• Persons enrolled in Ecuadorian educational institutions: $50

Foreigners from all other countries:

• Children under 2 years old: Free

• Children 2 to 11 years old: $100

• Persons 12 years or older: $200 (previously $100)

• Persons enrolled in Ecuadorian educational institutions: $50

In 2023, the Galápagos National Park recorded a record 330,000 tourists in the archipelago, more than half of whom were foreigners.

You can also read about these new fees on this official page: Tributo de ingreso.

The National Federation of Intra and Inter Provincial Public Passenger Transportation (Fenacotip) has announced a strike of transporters for next July 16 and 17 due to the insecurity experienced by drivers on the roads. The president of Fenacotip said that work cannot continue under these conditions without the minimum help from the authorities and the Police. He also recalled that there are people who have died and that both passengers and drivers fear all the time for their safety.

The only runway of José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil will be out of service for six hours next Friday, July 19, 2024, due to scheduled maintenance work. The closure will occur from 06:30 to 12:30. During these hours the airport will stay open for passengers but no airplanes will be able to take off or land. 

The National Traffic Agency has a regulation that allows pets to travel with their owners on interprovincial buses. These are the requirements that you will have to comply with:

• An signed agreement of responsibility between you and the bus company.
• You must be liable for civil and criminal actions and omissions.
• The animal must be fasting for at least four hours before the trip.
• The animal must have its own identification (collar and tag).
• The animal must have a microchip implanted.
• The animal must have a vaccination and deworming certificate for the last year.
• The animal must have certification for having been trained.
• The animal must wear a distinctive vest, a credential and a harness.

Animals can travel for free when they do not exceed 10 kilos of weight.