OCEAN-OPEN NATION
Ecuador’s transport landscape has undergone important recent developments that have made the country gain a more prominent positioning in South America’s west coast region.
This chapter opens with an interview with José Gabriel Martínez Castro, Minister of Transport and Public Works, who discusses in depth Ecuador’s new open-sky policy, which has proven to be efficient in attracting new airlines. “We have been able to add seven new airlines to operate international flights, including Spirit, Gol, Laser, AirFrance, Plus Ultra, Interjet, and AirCanada, as well as others that already operated in the country and have increased their flights, such as Latam and Jetblue,” he stated.
Mariscal Sucre International Airport, which services Quito, embarked on an expansion plan in 2019. A new airport is also expected to start operations in the coastal city of Manta, while there are plans for second major airport in Guayaquil. Once complete, the government hopes Ecuador will become a key player in Asia Pacific-Latin America air traffic.
Sea infrastructure is also undergoing a golden age, and competition is becoming fierce as new, modern ports begin operations. One such example is the inauguration in 2019 of the deep-water port of Posorja, the first fourth-generation port in Ecuador. It will allow for a more efficient handling of capacity and larger ships, including super-post-Panamax vessels. The cities of Manta and Machala have also seen great progress in capacity following the completion of concessions through PPPs to international logistics groups. The Port of Machala is operated by Turkish Yildirim Group, while the Port of Manta is operated by Chilean Agunsa.
2020 will also be marked by the inauguration of the Quito Metro, built by Spanish company Acciona. With 22.6km of tracks and boasting 15 stations, Ecuador’s capital is now on the short list of Latam cities with metro infrastructure, and will serve as a catalyst for better transport across Quito’s greater area.
This chapter also includes a special focus on Ecuador’s automotive industry. After the pickup in sales following a trade agreement with the EU, which reduced import tariffs, car distributors have high expectations from the new commercial policy of Ecuador, which focuses on trade with car-producing countries such as Mexico and the US. Other trends such as the penetration of electric mobility, smart vehicles, and the introduction of Chinese brands also feature as topics in this chapter.