Airport runway resurfacing is complete

The resurfacing of the runway at Cuenca Mariscal La Mar Airport is complete, says Juan Fernandez, airport director. Better yet, he says, the new runway has passed all tests ordered by Ecuador’s civil aviation directorate.

Cuenca’s Mariscal La Mar Airport.

Contractors are installing new signage and lighting and say all work should be completed next week.

The airport has been closed since August 19 for the 30-day resurfacing project. The project was a result of an order by civil aviation authorities that the runway could operate only in dry weather conditions, a requirement that caused the cancellation of 140 flights between May and August to and from Quito and Guayaquil.

According to Fernandez, the results of friction and water runoff tests on the new runway exceeded international standards. A final check will be conducted when all work is completed and before the airport reopens September 20 or 21.

The new runway surface will be good for two to two-and-a-half years, Fernandez says. That is enough time for the city to purchase property to the southwest of the airport to extend the runway.