Some of you have asked about the opening of the new international airport at Quito and whether there are hotels nearby. And someone also asked about when/if Manta would ever receive flights from the U.S. I asked a well-connected friend in Quito about this and here is what he said:
THE NEW AIRPORT IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN ON THE 15TH OF FEBRUARY. THERE ARE NO
HOTELS IN THE VECINITY OF THE NEW AIRPORT. DRIVING TIME FROM THERE TO THE
CITY WILL TAKE ABOUT 90 MINUTES. I CHECKED REGARDING CHARTER FLIGHTS INTO
MANTA, BUT THERE IS NOTHING FIRM ON THAT YET. WHAT WE DO HEAR IS THAT THE
LATACUNGA AIRPORT IS BEING REFURBISHED TO TAKE IN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS AS
WELL, BUT AGAIN NOTHING DEFINITE ON THAT. I AM SURE WE SHOULD KNOW MORE IN
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND WE WILL LET YOU KNOW THEN. I HAPPEN TO BE IN CONTACT
WITH A FRIEND THAT IS AN EXPERT IN AIRPORT LOGISTICS AND IS ADVISING THE
GOVERNMENT ON THAT SO HE WILL HAVE FRESH NEWS FOR ME WHEN IT HAPPENS.