More passengers flew to and from Ecuador

2024-08-14 07:20:11

Despite the growth recorded in the first four months of 2024, Ecuador has pending issues such as the cost of flights.

The number of international traffic passengers in Ecuador is growing. A total of 1.5 million people traveled to and from Ecuadorian airports during the first four months of 2024.

This figure represented an increase of 8% compared to those recorded in the same period in 2019.

The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (Alta) believes that, if this trend continues, “2024 will be the year with the highest number of international passengers in Ecuador.”

José Ricardo Botelho is executive director and CEO of AltaHe points out that Ecuador It implements a State agenda that includes aviation and tourism as essential sectors for socioeconomic development.

“The State has taken measures that translate into important advances for the competitiveness of air transport, such as the reduction of taxes EcoDelta and Tourism Powerca, which has contributed to democratizing air transport and has encouraged passenger demand,” he said. Bottle.

The rest of aviation in Ecuador

He Alta Aviation Insight Ecuadorwhich is a statistical compilation of the air transport, believes that the country should pay attention to the high operating costs affecting airlines operating in Ecuador.

In addition, there are taxes and fees levied on passengers on domestic and international flights. “These additional costs make air service more expensive and discourage passenger demand.”

If you compare the operating costs in Ecuadorsays Alta, with other markets in the region such as Chile, Brazil, Mexico and Panamaa clear competitive disadvantage is observed for Ecuador.

An international operation in Ecuador It is, on average, almost three times more expensive than in Brazil y Chilereports indicate Alta Aviation Insight Ecuador.

“This cost difference not only affects the viability of airlines, but may also have long-term consequences for the country’s air connectivity,” the report said.

According to BottleCompetitiveness in the aviation sector is crucial for a country’s economy, as greater connectivity can boost tourism, facilitate international trade and attract investment.

“It is essential that Ecuador considers reducing these operating costs to improve its competitive position in the region and foster a more favorable environment for the growth of the aviation sector and, consequently, of the national economy,” the representative insists.

According to the Ecuador Aviation Insightthere are some issues related to passenger rights that need to be reviewed. One of these is the right to cancel a trip up to 72 hours before the flight’s departure and the right to retract the purchase of a ticket up to 48 hours after the purchase has been made.