Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)

Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) ... passengers and 125,000 metric tons of freight per year. The airport, one of the highest of the world (at 2800 m AMSL) is located in the northern part of the city, in the Chaupicruz parish, within 5 minutes of Quito's financial center; the terminals are located at the intersection of Amazonas and La Prensa avenues. Due to its location (in the middle of a city surrounded by mountains), the current airport cannot be expanded to accomodate larger aircraft or an increase in air traffic. Its operation poses higher risks, too; six serious accidents and several incidents have taken place in recent years. A new airport is being built in the Tababela parish, about 90 km to the east of the city, which is slated to begin operations by 2010.