The second step of the process contemplates the allocation of frequencies to airlines interested in operating flights between Manta and the Galapagos Islands.

Manta Airport, in September 2022.
The General Eloy Alfaro International Airport, in Manta, was enabled for a route to the Galapagos Islands, on March 7, 2023.
The Governing Council of the Special Regime of Galapagos authorized that air terminal to function as a terminal for the entry of tourists and cargo.
With this, the Galapagos Biosafety Agency, the Agency for the Regulation and Control of Biosafety and Quarantine for Galapagos (ABG) and the Governing Council of the Special Regime of Galapagos will operate in the Manta terminal.
The second step of the process contemplates the allocation of frequencies to airlines interested in operating flights between Manta and the Galapagos Islands.
The Governing Council of the Galapagos Special Regime must define whether the flights will operate to the two Galapagos airports:
- Seymour Airport, on Baltra Island.
- San Cristobal Airport.
In addition, from June 27, 2023, the Manta airport will have a direct flight with Panama.
The route will be operated by the airline Copa Airlines, with a frequency of three weekly flights.
With this new route, after six years, the Eloy Alfaro International Airport will resume its flights abroad. This opening is expected to generate the arrival of 9,000 tourists to Ecuador.