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The National Emergency Operations Committee (COE) updated the specific provisions regarding the transport of passengers by air, among other issues. The following is the requirements and protocols that govern passenger air transport.

International arrival passengers

• All passengers arriving in Ecuador from abroad must present a negative PCR test result. The test must have been carried out within ten days prior to boarding for the trip to Ecuador. Mandatory isolation will not be required for those with a negative PCR test result.
• Additionally, the National COE ordered that a rapid antigen test will be carried out randomly on passengers on international arrival flights, which will be taken at the international airports of entry. This test will be in charge of the Ministry of Public Health (MSP).
• In the exceptional case that a passenger does not comply with the provisions of boarding with a negative PCR test, the rapid antigen test will be applied. If the rapid antigen test is positive, the passenger will enter mandatory isolation for ten (10) days from the date the sample is taken. Ecuadorian residents will do so at the address they declare upon entry. Passengers who do not reside in Ecuador and do not have an address to declare will be isolated in any of the accommodations regulated by the Ministries of Tourism and Government. Accommodation, food and transportation costs will be covered by each passenger.
• In the case of having a negative result of the rapid antigen test, passengers must perform the mandatory isolation for five (5) days, as long as they do not present symptoms.
• Passengers under fourteen years of age and aircraft crew are exempt from taking the antigen test.
• In the event that a passenger upon arrival in Ecuador presents symptoms related to COVID-19 (high temperature, cough, general malaise, loss of smell, loss of taste, etc.), regardless of the result of the PCR test and of the rapid antigen test, will be evaluated by the health personnel of the MSP at the arrival airport and will be transferred to the nearest medical center to complete the clinical evaluation.
• Passengers must fill out and sign, prior to disembarking, the Passenger's Health Declaration, which will be delivered to the MSP health personnel in the room established for this purpose at the arrival airport.
• Every passenger upon arrival at airports in Ecuador will go through a thermal sensor that will allow identifying temperatures above 37.5°C.

The COE provision reminds that every person who enters Ecuador must comply with the biosecurity measures established by the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), such as:

1. Mandatory use of a mask.
2. Frequent hand washing with soap and water or alcohol gel of at least 70%.
3. Maintain a physical distance of 2 meters.
4. Continuous disinfection of surfaces.

Passengers on international departure

To leave the country, the Government of Ecuador does not request any type of requirement or test for COVID-19, however, the passenger must inquire about entry requirements for the country of destination. The information is available with the respective airline or in foreign diplomatic delegations in Ecuador.

Passengers on domestic flights

There is no requirement to travel on domestic flights, with the exception of tourist travel to the Galapagos Islands. To travel to the islands, the passenger must present the negative PCR test taken within 96 hours prior to entering the islands, accompanied by a safe-conduct issued by the tour operator or hotel in Galapagos.

Sanitary security at the airport

In order to avoid crowds, there is a limit to the capacity of the various areas of the airport: public halls, boarding lounges, shops and restaurants. Family members or companions are asked to avoid going to the airport as much as possible.

To guarantee the health safety of travelers, Corporación Quiport has installed:

• Thermal cameras to measure body temperature.
• Footbaths (for disinfecting footwear and luggage wheels).
• Protective screens to avoid direct contact between airport personnel and passengers.
• Safety bands for restricted seats.
• 500 hand sanitizer dispensers.
• Floor signage to facilitate the reference of the required social distance.

The National Government has also decreed a curfew as of this Monday, December 21 between 22:00 and 04:00, for a period of 15 days. For the transfer to and from the airport, a copy of the passenger's travel documents must be presented.

Corporación Quiport and the Municipality of Quito permanently coordinate with the state entities responsible for the control and compliance with these new requirements, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, in order to guarantee that they can develop their work in suitable conditions.

• Technological solutions are a global trend in airports and Quiport remains at the forefront of the industry.
• The app includes a touchless option to avoid direct contact.
• The app is available for iOS (Apple iPhone) and Android operating systems.

Airport procedures and processes are streamlined using the new Quito International Airport app. The service allows airport processes to be carried out without the need for direct contact, such as online check-in, remote use of the self-check-in and self-bag drop kiosks, and automatic access to the boarding gates. In addition, it incorporates tools for online purchases at the airport and to know the level of availability of spaces at airport parking, as well as information and location of all the services offered by the Quito airport such as car rental, restaurants and cafeterias, shops, etc. 

One of the main functionalities of the app is the option to use the self-check and luggage tagging kiosks remotely from your smartphone. To do this, it’s as easy as connecting to the check in kiosk’s WiFi network and scanning the QR code on the screen.

“Quiport remains at the forefront of airport service. The new app, developed by Quiport's Information and Technology department, led by Santiago Andrade and his team, is a great step forward in the automation of airport services. The incorporation of technological solutions is a global trend in airports and the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated these types of implementations,” explained Andrew O'Brian, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport.

To take full advantage of all the benefits offered by the app, available for iOS and Android smartphones, it is necessary to upload or scan the boarding pass to link the passenger's flight and start receiving notifications regarding the status of the travel such as assigned lounge, boarding and departure time updates, shopping options available near the departure lounge, and for arrivals the baggage carousel number for luggage pick up.

To learn more about the APP visit https://youtu.be/-I95FNwy6y4. The Quito International Airport application is now available on the Apple App Store https://bit.ly/iOSuioAPP and the Google Play Store https://bit.ly/APPuioAndr.

• Respecting the health protection standards guarantees high levels of safety.

• For passengers on departing international flights, it is recommended to find out about the restrictions in the country of destination.

Complying with the health prevention regulations such as the use of masks, social distancing and constant disinfection, traveling by air is safe and does not represent major complications. Here is a summary of the requirements set forth by the Ecuadorian government to travel by air on national and international flights.

Travel Requirements:

Domestic travel: Negative COVID-19 tests are not required to board domestic flights, with the exception of tourism travel to Galapagos.

To travel to Galapagos, it is required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours prior to entering the archipelago. In addition, an authorization or permit issued by the tour operator or by the hotel in Galapagos is required. Children under 17 years of age are exempt from having to present a negative PCR test. 

International travel: To leave the country, it is not necessary to present a test for COVID-19 at the airport. It is important, however, that the traveler is informed about the restrictions of entry to the destination country by consulting the airline or the embassy of the destination country.

To enter Ecuador, the government requests the presentation of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, taken within 10 days prior to entering the country; With this, the traveler is exempt from undergoing mandatory preventive isolation.

If the passenger does not present a negative PCR test upon arrival, entrance to the country will be allowed but the traveler must perform a mandatory preventive isolation of 10 days at their home or at the accommodation of their choice.

• Lima is the gateway from Ecuador to the south of the continent, and is a key destination for business and tourism.
• The airline starts its operations with three weekly flights, which allow further connection with various destinations worldwide.

A new stage in the reactivation of international flights at the Quito International Airport began this afternoon with the resumption of the route between Lima and Quito, operated by LATAM. This is due to the decision of the Peruvian government to authorize international flights to a group of countries, among which is Ecuador.

LATAM will operate three weekly frequencies on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

In 2019, 11% of the international passengers at the Quito airport traveled to Lima as their final destination or on interconnection flights to other destinations in South America, which makes this route one of the most important for the city’s airport.

Daniel Leng, Executive Director of LATAM Airlines in Ecuador, commented, “the commitment to connect Ecuador with the world remains firm and is evidenced by this operation. We will continue to serve and respond to the demand of those that trust in our service”.

“The route between Lima and Quito is, for the Quito International Airport, a fundamental pillar in the connectivity with the south of the continent. Peru is a destination with great importance for developing business and tourism. Lima works as the connection point to reach countries like Chile, Argentina and Brazil, as well as others in the region. We are increasingly integrated with the region and with the world," said Andrew O'Brian, President and CEO of Corporación Quiport, the company in charge of the comprehensive management of the Quito airport.

Requirements to travel to Peru*

• Before arrival in Peru, the passenger must complete the "Passenger Electronic Health Affidavit and Commitment to Isolate or Quarantine" of Migrations and have a negative test result (it can be PCR, antigenic, or certificate of Epidemiological Discharge) with 72 hours of issuing the result before boarding time.
• Children under 12 do not require proof, only a medical certificate of good health.
• To enter the country, foreign non-residents must complete a physical affidavit (paper), since the digital option is only available to Peruvians and resident foreigners. This document will be delivered on board the aircraft.
• These requirements are subject to change by decision of the government of Peru.