Quito Airport to Close for 12 Hours on Saturday, Sept. 5
Ecuador · TRAVEL
Key Facts
- —What happened: Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport will fully close for runway maintenance on Saturday, September 5.
- —How big: The closure lasts 12 hours, running from 2 a.m. until 2 p.m. local time that day.
- —What it means: No flights can take off or land at Quito’s airport during that entire 12-hour window.
- —The catch: The terminal building itself stays open; only runway takeoffs and landings pause during the shutdown.
- —Who it affects: Anyone flying into or out of Quito that Saturday needs to check their airline’s updated schedule.
- —What comes next: Two more scheduled runway closures are already set for later this month, on September 12 and 26.
Quito’s international airport will pause every flight for half a day this Saturday so crews can repair the runway.
Ecuador’s main airport will shut down completely for 12 hours this Saturday, September 5. Crews will use the shutdown to carry out preventive maintenance on the runway.
The closure runs from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time, airport operator Quiport said. No flights will take off or land at Quito’s airport during that 12-hour window.
Why The Airport Is Closing
The runway needs regular upkeep to stay safe for landings and takeoffs, Quiport says. Skipping the routine work could mean far bigger repairs down the road, officials said.
This closure is one of ten scheduled runway shutdowns planned across 2026. Quiport already closed the runway on similar Saturdays in April, May and June this year.
The airport skipped July and August on purpose, to protect peak tourist season traffic. Two more closures are already set for September 12 and September 26.
One Runway, Total Shutdown
Mariscal Sucre has only one runway, unlike many big international airports. That means any closure grounds every flight, with no backup strip to use instead.
The airport opened in 2013 on a new site outside Quito. It sits at 2,400 meters above sea level, far higher than most world airports.
The runway stretches about 4,100 meters, longer than most airports in the region. That length lets it handle large jets that fly long international routes.
How Airlines Are Rebooking Passengers
Each airline is responsible for rebooking its own passengers around the 12-hour gap. Quiport says it notified carriers well in advance through standard aviation channels.
According to Radio Pichincha, 31 flights are expected to change that day. The airport itself is not issuing individual rebooking decisions or compensation.
Quito is the main hub for Avianca Ecuador and LATAM Ecuador, both based there. Flights on other carriers serving Quito could also see schedule shifts that Saturday.
Quito connects travelers between North America and other South American cities. A schedule change there can also affect onward connecting flights elsewhere.
What Travelers Should Do
Anyone flying through Quito this Saturday should check their flight status before leaving home. The airlines make all rebooking and cancellation decisions, not the airport itself.
Contact information for every airline serving Quito is posted on the airport’s official website. The terminal itself remains open throughout the 12-hour runway closure.
Travelers with flights just before or after the closure should also confirm timing. Knock-on delays are possible if earlier flights get pushed later in the day.
Two more runway closures are already scheduled for October, on October 3 and October 17. Quiport says the advance schedule helps avoid emergency repairs that could ground flights without warning.
More: Ecuador news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Quito’s airport closing on September 5?
Airport operator Quiport says the runway needs preventive maintenance work. The work aims to prevent bigger, costlier repairs later on.
How long will the airport be closed?
The airport will shut down for 12 hours, from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time.
What should I do if I’m flying through Quito that day?
Check your flight status directly with your airline before heading to the airport. Your airline handles all rebooking for this closure, not the airport.
Sources: Quiport (Corporación Quiport, Quito airport operator); Aeropuerto Internacional de Quito official site; Radio Pichincha; Cero Latitud.
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