Location change of Quito's international airport with detailed information.
(TRAVPR.COM) ECUADOR - February 18th, 2013 - After 52 years of service, the Quito International Airport will finally be moving to its new location in the Caraburo Plateau, near the Parish of Tababela, about 20km (12.4 mi) Northeast of Quito. The new airport will be open for operation beginning February 20th, 2013. The old airport will be closing February 19th, at 7pm. The new airport is estimated to serve about 5 million passengers within this first phase of construction. Over the next two decades, the numbers are predicted to climb up to 7.5 million by 2030. Please keep in mind that because of the transition, there will be a small increase in your airfare. This information can be found by calling the airline on which you will be traveling.
The estimated time it takes to arrive to Tababela from anywhere in the city of Quito is about an hour and 15-30 minutes, with low traffic. It is well advised that if you are planning to leave from Quito, plan accordingly for about a two hour travel due to the heightened amount of traffic that will increase once the airport is opened. The city is in the process of constructing new roads and highways to ease up on the demanding traffic. The roads and highways will be complete varying between the next few months up to the next couple years.
If you need transportation to the new airport there are various choices for you to choose from. From the city of Quito, there are buses that will be on route to the airport daily varying from numerous bus stations in and out of the city. If you are not sure of which bus to take at the bus station, it is always possible to ask the bus agents on duty. Also, Quito has an abundance of taxi’s that can transport you to the new airport. If you are traveling through a tour service check to see if you will be provided transportation, as it is not always available through every tour service.
If you plan on driving yourself, take into consideration the following details; Any vehicle can enter the airport, there are no restrictions. However, there is only a 15 minute drop off and pick up time. In the case of being at the airport for a longer period of time, there is a parking lot available. Keep in mind that the parking lot does have a cost of 2 USD per hour.
The new runway is now a full kilometer longer at 4.1km (2.5 mi) and is constructed at a much lower altitude. Before, the airport was at a staggering 2,808 meters (9,212 ft), whereas now it is at a much safer altitude of, 2,400 meters (7,874 ft). This lower level of altitude also makes departure much easier and the airlines can now carry more weight, as well as making less frequent stops to re-fuel. The topography of the land is much safer than it was in Quito. Here, there are no buildings, mountains, nor volcanoes to maneuver around. Before, it took a quite experienced and skilled pilot to land and take off in Quito.
Quito’s Municipal Department has decided that the land where the old airport was will be transformed into a major recreational park with a large lake in the center surrounded by green areas. The park will be called “Lake Park”, or “Parque del Lago”. Within the park will be numerous fields and courts for various sports, biking trails of 47.4 km (29.5 mi), jogging or running trails of up to 52.9 km (32.8 mi), and walking trails in total of 60 km (37.2 mi). The completed area of the park will be about 131.65 hectares (325.3 ac). Also, throughout the park will be regular urban roads, amounting up to about 7.8 km (4.8 mi).
Overall, it will be a good change supporting Quito as one of the most diverse cities in Ecuador, keeping up with prosperity and the changing of times for a greener environment. The park will also be a healthy benefit for the people of Quito and for the community to enjoy for many years to come.
Come and visit the largest Colonial District in South America, located in Quito! Join one of our tours and discover the best Ecuador has to offer and the amazing Galapagos Islands. Contact us now and let us plan and organize your trip for you, 18 years of experience and excellence at your service!
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