Runway Intervention at General Eloy Alfaro Airport in Manta

Official Announcement and Timeline On September 18, 2012, representatives from Ecuador's Ministry of Transport and Public Works, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC), and the Air Forces announced a total intervention of the runway at the General Eloy Alfaro International Airport in Manta. The works were scheduled to run from September 22 to November 5, 2012, involving nighttime operations and partial runway closures. Carlos Jácome, Undersecretary of Civil Aeronautics and President of the National Civil Aviation Council, stated that although the runway works would last 45 days, a partial airport closure was planned only from 00:00 on Thursday, October 4, until 06:00 on Tuesday, October 9, 2012. Fernando Guerrero, Director General of Civil Aviation, confirmed that airlines operating at the terminal had been duly notified of the intervention. ## Airline Operations The source listed the following airlines operating in Manta at the time: - Tame: 3 daily flights Monday to Friday; 2 daily flights on Saturday and Sunday - Aerogal: 3 daily flights Monday to Friday; 2 daily flights on Saturday and Sunday - Cubana Cargo: 1 weekly flight (Saturday, cargo) ## Military Operations Colonel Geovanny Espinel, Commander of Wing 23, informed that military air operations using the airport would be relocated to the Salinas and Taura air bases. The deployment of military equipment was to be carried out in the days prior to the temporary closure. ## Remodelation Project The remodelation of General Eloy Alfaro Airport was part of the National Plan for Modernization of the Airport System. The project included: - Integral intervention of the runway, 2,852 meters long by 45 meters wide - Fire services hangar - Integral improvement of the passenger terminal building - Expansion of the public area from 1,200 meters to 2,300 meters The investment amount for the airport remodelation was USD 5,425,201.63. Works that began on June 20 had already reached 42% progress. ## Passenger Capacity and Flow The boarding capacity was currently 300 passengers, with a projection of 450 passengers with greater functionality and passenger comfort. Passenger flow was 323,876 in 2010, with a projection of 452,588 in 2014.