ECOGAL, company that manages and operates the Galapagos Ecological Airport, announced more than $12 million investment in runway improvements, platform, terminal and others.
The Galapagos Ecological Airport, managed and operated by ECOGAL in the Isla Baltra, registers positive dynamism during the current year. In an exclusive interview with Jorge Rossillo, General Manager of the company, operational statistics were detailed, upcoming infrastructure projects and complex logistical challenges, and environmental, that will mark the agenda of the island terminal.
The airport continues to grow in traffic, both commercial and private, Therefore, the airport operator must invest in improvements to guarantee that this growth is sustained over time., all aligned with the sustainability of the complex ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands
ECOGAL will invest millions in improvements
Between January and August 2026, The air terminal experienced a growth of 5.2% in passenger traffic compared to the same period last year. Rosillo explained that, despite the increase in fuel costs, The flow of travelers has not been affected due to the high anticipation with which trips to the archipelago are planned and purchased., differentiating itself from the severe impacts caused by episodes of social upheaval.
Regarding user segmentation, The composition is divided into a 40% of domestic passengers, a 14% of residents on the islands and a 45% of international visitors.
After the signing of the extension of the concession until December 2032, completed in February of this year, ECOGAL launched an infrastructure improvement plan. The first interventions were concentrated in the departure areas, where the space allocated to security filters was tripled and the X-ray machines were doubled. in addition, It is projected that at the end of this year and beginning of next year, renovations will begin in the pre-boarding areas and the sala VIP, with an estimated investment of $300,000 dollars to raise seating capacity to more than 300 people.
Runway resurfacing project and logistical challenges
One of the most important technical milestones will be the comprehensive resurfacing of the track, which has 2,400 meters long by 36 meters wide. The execution of the work will involve the transfer, from Guayaquil toward Galapagos, of machinery specialized in quarrying and asphalting. In addition to the transfer by barge of more than a thousand dump trucks, the island of Santa Cruz and Baltra with stone material enters.
These teams must comply with strict biosafety protocols established by the Biosafety Agency to Galapagos (ABG), including cleaning and disinfection procedures, especially tires and other areas that may represent a risk to the island ecosystem, Rosillo explained..
As part of the project logistics, An asphalt plant and a camp for technical personnel will be temporarily set up within an area of the airport. What's more, It is expected that most of the labor and services required will be contracted to local suppliers..
To minimize the effects on airport operations, Runway closures will be partial and will be carried out once the day's air operations have concluded until the start of operations the next day.. These works will not exceed three months and the least impact on commercial flights will be sought..
It should be noted that this comprehensive maintenance is carried out on average every five years., accumulating three interventions in a cycle of 15 years.
Security, sustainability and international certification
Regarding operational security and energy transition, the administration will incorporate a new Oshkosh motor pump 1500 for the service of firemen with an investment of $1.5 millions of dollars, whose delivery is scheduled for the first half of next year. in parallel, The total transformation of the airport's energy matrix will be promoted towards the exclusive use of solar panels, allocating half a million dollars to consolidate the objective of operating at maximum capacity as a zero carbon terminal.
Finally, Rosillo confirmed that the airport maintains its aerodrome certification in force in accordance with the national and international regulations granted by the Civil Aviation Directorate, reaffirming compliance with the highest regulatory standards of the aeronautical industry.
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