First Flight arrived at Quito’s New Airport in Tababela

Tabela, Quito’s new airport. Photo by El Comercio Newspaper

Nine minutes and 15 seconds lasted the first commercial flight at test that landed in the new airport of Tababela  in the northeast of Quito (Ecuador). The American Airlines Boeing 757 took off at 06:10 on Monday from Mariscal Sucre airport. About 50 passengers, including authorities and special guests, boarded the aircraft.

The Boeing landed without any problem on the 4 100 meters track, at 06:19 GMT. Two pumps, which were located on both sides of the platform, threw water with their hoses to the aircraft, as a tradition of welcoming the new airstrip.

The Municipality of Quito received international certification for limited operations. With this document they will continue conducting more tests. It is expected that the airport becomes operational on 12 October this year.  (FL)