What happened
Between September 22 and November 5, 2012, the General Eloy Alfaro International Airport in Manta underwent a significant infrastructure intervention. The project focused on an integral renovation of the runway, which measures 2,852 meters in length and 45 meters in width. To facilitate these works, authorities implemented night shifts and partial runway closures.
A specific full closure of the airport was scheduled from midnight on Thursday, October 4, until 06:00 on Tuesday, October 9, 2012. During this period, military flight operations from Ala 23 were temporarily relocated to the Salinas and Taura air bases.
The investigation
While this report pertains to infrastructure maintenance rather than an aviation accident, the DGAC coordinated with the Ministry of Transport and Public Works and the Ecuadorian Air Force to manage the operational impact. Airlines operating at the terminal, including Tame, Aerogal, and Cubana Cargo, were notified in advance regarding the schedule to ensure continuity of service.
The renovation was part of a broader National Airport System Modernization Plan, involving an investment of approximately $5.4 million. The works included upgrading the fire services hangar and expanding the passenger terminal area from 1,200 to 2,300 square meters to accommodate projected increases in passenger traffic.