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have asked, why are there no direct flights to Galapagos from the world? Here we answer it.
I have been asked this several times. a destination tourist so important and quoted in the world, should or at least it would be logical that it has direct flights from neighboring countries or USA as an example.
But this, as you well know, it is not like that and flights to the “Enchanted Islands” They occur only from continental Ecuador.
Today, there is regular air service Avianca Ecuador, LATAM Ecuador and Tame EP, which carry out more than 60 weekly flights to Baltra and San Cristobal, the 2 main airports of Galapagos from Quito and Guayaquil, this without talking about private flights or inter-islands
Flights to Galapagos are currently carried out exclusively, from Quito airports, Guayaquil and also Manta.
Galapagos tourist statistics 2018
- During the year 2017 they arrived 241.800 total tourists, which represents the historic year with the most tourists *.
- This represents a 11% more than the year 2016.
- 187.287 They entered through Baltra Airport and 54.513 for that of San Cristóbal.
- Of the total number of tourists, 167.011 They were foreigners.
- 74.789 They were Ecuadorian tourists, main issuer.
- 69.500 tourists were from the United States.
- 12.100 tourists were from the United Kingdom.
- 9.800 tourists were from Germany.
- 8.800 tourists were from Canada.
- 7.100 tourists were from Australia.
- 6.300 tourists were from Argentina.
- 3.800 tourists were from Chile.
Direct flights from the United States would be very attractive and over the years, The intention of North American airlines to operate this route has been known..
There are no statistics on how many tourists visit continental Ecuador, They also visit Galapagos and vice versa.
Now, We go on to explain the reasons why there are no direct flights from other airports other than continental Ecuador to the Galapagos..
Why are there no direct flights to Galapagos from the world??
First, Let's analyze the points about caring for the ecosystem of the islands:
- Galapagos is an extremely delicate ecosystem, Therefore, entry control to the islands is very rigorous.. For this, The current limit of tourists per year is 250 one thousand, limit that would be broken 2019 under the current trend.
- For this same control that aims to preserve the delicate ecosystem, Passengers must go through security control and baggage inspection, to prevent the introduction of species, plants, seeds, chemicals and others that could seriously affect the health of the islands.
- This control is carried out at the airport of departure to Galapagos to comply with current regulations, so international airports in other countries would have to implement these same controls, which represents a significant investment for just 1 O 2 Daily flights, which also implies, specialized personnel.
- The planes that fly to the Galapagos are also sanitized to prevent bacteria or living beings from reaching the upper compartments., as airlines that will hypotechnically fly direct, They would also have to implement.
Now, we must review other points, which are more of the technical-aeronautical type:
- No airport in Galapagos has an international category, much less the facilities for immigration and customs..
- The Baltra and San Cristóbal runways do not have the characteristics to receive large aircraft. The largest aircraft that can land at Baltra is the Boeing 757 and in San Cristóbal the Airbus 320.
- There is no replenishment combustible Jet A1 due to the expensive and limited access in the Islands, so the planes have to arrive at Galapagos with the necessary fuel to go and return to their destination..
- The fuel limitation, would require airplanes to have great autonomy, which would allow them to go and return to their destination, Let's say 6 one-way and other hours 6 back. These planes are large Boeing type. 767 up and no airport can receive these aircraft.
- There are only airways from the continent to Galapagos.
- An impact could be seen on demand for Ecuadorian airlines with direct flights from other countries.
- There is a limitation on the frequencies that airlines can operate to Galapagos, so assign new frequencies, It is a complex process.
As commented, The current measures have the objective of protecting the delicate ecosystem of Galapagos and this can only be carried out and guaranteed if it is carried out at the airports indicated above..
Will there be direct flights from other countries to Galapagos as is already the case with Cusco? No, as long as these positive measures of our Natural Heritage of Humanity are maintained.
*Galapagos National Park Address & Galapagos Tourism Observatory. 2018. Annual report of visitors to the Galapagos protected areas of the year 2017. Galapagos - Ecuador.
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Hello there. I just read this post, but I wanted to tell you some things Nicolas.
FIRST: There is no maximum number of tourists set. The quantity is limited by the installed capacity to receive visitors., and that's around 500,000 people per year. PNG's "carrying capacities" were always exceeded, Now it turns out that there is greater installed capacity on land than on ships.
SECOND: All the reasons you mention for not being able to make direct flights from abroad are rather consequences of the fact that there are no direct flights from abroad.. I explain myself? If it is DECIDED to authorize direct flights from abroad, it is obviously necessary to invest in infrastructure, teams, install migration police filters, customs, next-level quarantine and biosafety filters (because it would not be inspected at origin), etc.
THIRD: what is right, and you mention it, is that TAME could not compete in the same way as LATAM and AVIANCA, and some more line (AA, COPA, etc).
QUARTER: A reason you don't mention, It is that it is convenient for Ecuador that those tourists who arrive in Quito or Guayaquil do tourism extensions or at least spend a night in a hotel in continental Ecuador.. It's basically an economic issue.. If there is a decision and with money, on 1 year we are ready to receive direct flights from abroad.
QUINTO: Then, knowing that it is POSSIBLE, the question is: it suits us? It's not easy to answer, because the most correct answer would be DEPENDS. Does it depend on what? Well WHO are we talking about?. Basically there would be winners and losers.: Who would win: the galapagos economy, especially land hotels. Transnational and foreign airlines would also win. Who would lose?? The native and endemic biodiversity of the Galapagos; and the tourism sector of continental Ecuador, that with a basic model, but there would be ways to promote transfers of benefits between actors and reduction of impacts, but that is "a different matter".
Just some quick thoughts.
Greetings
Hi Carlos, Thanks for your comment. Only this post had the purpose of showing the aeronautical technical part, but not what is convenient or not convenient and speaking of logistical issues, which is the interest of this space, The main limitation is the availability of fuel, which, no matter how much intention there is of being able to have direct flights,, can be solved safely, efficient and economical for operators. Regarding the maximum number of tourists, It was understood that there is an annual restriction on the number of admissions, which therefore limits the number of air frequencies allowed, because if the installed capacity were 500 one thousand and over the number of tourists who can enter the Galapagos each year, the number of weekly frequencies should or could be doubled, but of course it is not done if this were the case to take care of the ecosystem. thanks for commenting!
It could also be interesting to unite the Galapagos with other tourist centers in neighboring countries such as CUZ., PE. MDE, CO. Etc. The airport infrastructure would have to be improved to receive large A330 type aircraft, B777, MD11 and B787.
Rather, no, because the idea is that there are no direct international flights so, be able to maintain control over the improper entry of animals or plants. Imagine how expensive it would be to have staff at each of those airports just to verify compliance with PNG rules..
I think the issue is more about economics for airlines with Ecuadorian registration. , I don't remember that they gave me a rigorous check-up in Guayaquil. , The review was in Baltra .
In Quito and Guayaquil the review is more focused on entry control, but if, It also involves the issue of protection of Ecuadorian airlines.
Another limitation is the aircraft parking area and the lack of taxiways, which requires aircraft to taxi to and from the apron along the same active runway..
Too, It is an additional operational factor.
I am not usually a supporter of regularization and bureaucracy, but in this case I am glad that those limitations and controls exist, Otherwise the islands would lose their charm, literally and figuratively. Sometimes there is a misconception that it is a tourist destination to be exploited on enormous scales., but they forget that it is not Hawaii, It is a nature reserve.
Good post.
Thank you Gabriel!
Just a correction. Only the José Joaquín de Olmedo Airports in the city of Guayaquil and Mariscal Sucre de Tababela are authorized to transport passengers., Cargo and luggage to the Galapagos Islands. (Art. 16 Regulation of Total Control of Species Introduced to the Province of Galapagos RCTEI).
Thank you Juan Carlos, flights have also been seen leaving from Manta some opportunities, private of course.
Hello there
I asked myself the same thing in June., when I went (for the first time) to Galapagos (what a BEAUTIFUL place, by the way).
I assumed it was for visitor control.
Greetings
A pleasure!