Ecuador passes civil aviation law opening domestic market to foreign carriers

Ecuador's National Assembly approved a new civil aviation law on 24 September, with 88 votes in favour and 60 against, according to the report. The bill now goes to the government, which has 30 days to sign it or raise objections.

For airlines, the legislation would open the market substantially. Foreign carriers with an operating base in Ecuador could offer domestic flights without setting up a local company, and prior state authorisation for individual routes would be dropped. An airline holding an operating licence would only need to inform the state of its planned routes.

Oversight would be reorganised too. The National Civil Aviation Council is to be abolished, with political responsibility moving to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. The aviation authority, DGAC, would focus on technical matters, supervision and enforcement. The bill also provides for an independent body to investigate aviation accidents.

The vote leaves the measure short of enactment, and the government's 30-day window to sign or object remains open.