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Direct flights between Cuenca and Baltra in the Galapagos Islands and today I show you all the details of this historic and unprecedented route. CORPAC's photo
After carrying out all the procedures before the control entities of Galapagos, high-level efforts by the municipal authorities of Cuenca together with the central government, thanks to the initiative of LATAM Ecuador, The new national route in the country is already a reality.
With two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays, an operation carried out with airplanes Airbus A319, Cuenca has again 3 national routes and the best of all, is that it is a route that had not been operated before and that connects a cultural heritage with a natural one, precisely, two of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the Ecuador.
This was the inaugural flight of LATAM Ecuador between Cuenca and Galapagos
Last 31 march 2026, the Mariscal La Mar Airport, managed by CORPAC, saw this new direct connectivity proposal inaugurated, that had never been operated and that now offers a new alternative for all travelers looking for a single trip, know two destinations, so different, but they are worth every second that you can spend on their lands.
That day, I could be part of the inaugural flight, which was carried out with the presence of local authorities, state and airline, as witnesses of this historical event and that after several years, inaugurated a new domestic route.
Here, I invite you to go to my YouTube channel, in which I have published a comprehensive Flight Report with all the information you need to know to travel between these two destinations. I show you all the controls and costs that you will have to pay to travel to Galapagos from Cuenca. You can also see it below:
Schedules, frequencies and details of the operation
For those who are planning their next trip or simply want to know the logistical and technical details of this air operation, Here I share the detailed information of this long-awaited route:
- The airline initially operates with 2 flights per week, specifically on Tuesdays and Saturdays. This is ideal for both short getaways and long stays in the archipelago..
- Flights are carried out on equipment from the Airbus A319 family, that have a capacity of 138 seating (adaptable up to 144 passengers) distributed in their traditional cabins.
- The dynamics of the route: Outward leg (Cuenca – Baltra): In commercial aviation jargon, it is classified as a "direct" flight because the passenger does not change planes or disembark.. Nevertheless, makes a technical and commercial stopover in Quito to pick up more passengers before heading definitively to Seymour Airport in Baltra.
- Return section (Baltra – Cuenca): Unlike the going, The return is operated directly and non-stop, connecting the Enchanted Islands with the capital of Azuay in a much more agile way.
About operating hours, The flights operate as follows:
- Flight LNE1404 takes off from Cuenca at 07:38 am and lands in Quito at 08:27 am with a duration of 49 minutes.
- Stopover at Quito Airport 37 minutes without plane change
- Total travel time: 3 hours and 32 minutes
- Flight LNE1404 takes off from Quito at 09:04 am and lands in Baltra at 10:10 am behind 2 hours and 6 flight minutes.
- Flight LNE1409 takes off from Baltra at 11:07 am and lands back in Cuenca at 1:59 pm with a duration of 1 hour and 52 minutes.
Requirements to travel to Galapagos
Regardless of whether your origin is Cuenca, Guayaquil or Quito to San Cristóbal or Baltra, You must comply with the following requirements:
- Acquire the TCT Traffic Control Card by $20 online or directly at the airport.
- Go through environmental control filters.
- Make the sworn declaration of goods.
- Pay the entrance to the Galapagos National Park $30 dollars for Ecuadorians and $200 for foreigners.
Many successes to LATAM Ecuador on this new route, that positions itself and grows over time.
What other route would you like to see inaugurated in Ecuador??
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