AirCuenca, Cuenca's Very Own Airline

AirCuenca started operating in the summer of 2010, and is quickly becoming a low-cost alternative to the other airlines flying to the city. Calling itself "La Aerolínea del Sur," that branding may indicate that it will expand its service to other cities in southern Ecuador.

The airline currently has only one jet, but uses it effectively. Unfortunately, that means you'll have to fit your plans to AirCuenca's schedule, if you're looking to save a few dollars.

Quito

Most of the flights are to and from Quito. There's at least one flight every day of the week.

Quito to Cuenca

From Monday to Friday, the flights leave at 8:15 a.m., arriving at Cuenca's Mariscal Lamar Airport at 9:00, and 7:15 p.m., arriving at 8:00.

On Thursday and Friday, there's an additional flight, at 3:45 p.m., arriving at 4:25.

On Saturday, there's one flight, leaving at 12:00 noon, arriving at 12:45.

On Sunday, there's one flight, leaving at 7:15 p.m., arriving at 8:00.

Cuenca to Quito

From Monday to Friday, flights leave at 7:00 a.m., arriving at 7:45, and 6:00 p.m., arriving at 6:45.

On Thursday and Friday, there's an additional flight, leaving at 2:30 p.m., arriving at 3:15.

Saturday's only flight leaves at 10:45 a.m., arriving at 11:30.

The only flight on Sunday leave at 6:00 p.m., arriving at 6:45.

Guayaquil

AirCuenca has just one flight daily to Guayaquil, with no flights on Sunday.

Guayaquil to Cuenca

Monday to Friday, the flight leaves at 10:40 a.m., arriving at 11:20.

On Saturday, the flight leaves at 9:50 a.m. It arrives at 10:15.

As mentioned, AirCuenca has no flights from Guayaquil on Sunday.

Cuenca to Guayaquil

The flight leaves Monday to Friday at 9:30 a.m., arriving at 10:10.

Saturdays, the flight leaves at 8:30 a.m., arriving at 9:10.

There are no flights to Guayaquil on Sunday.

Ticket Prices and Payment Options

AirCuenca's prices are very competitive. When they started up, they were undercutting the other airlines, a good way to get their name known to regular travelers.

Since airline prices change regularly, we won't bother listing theme here. But check the Promotions page of the AirCuenca website for any current specials.

If you think you'll be flying back and forth a lot, or you have a large group flying, you can buy 20 tickets at a time. You can buy them for flights to either city (Chequera Nacional), or for flights to just Guayaquil (Chequera Guayaquil, which are cheaper than the Nacional version).

Cash and credit card payments are accepted at the airports. There's no payment option at this time on the website.

Contact Information

Your travel agent should have access to AirCuenca booking, if you want to purchase your tickets before you leave for Ecuador.

Or you can purchase them at the Quito or Guayaquil airport when you're ready to come to Cuenca.

Phone numbers are:

• Cuenca: 593 (7) 4083381 or 593 (7) 4084410 (inside Ecuador, call
  07-4083381 or 07-4084410)
• Quito: 593 (2) 3300335 (inside Ecuador, 02-3300335)

AirCuenca's website is www.aircuenca.com. At the time of this update (February 26, 2011), the website is not functioning.

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