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Total 1 airports of MEC

MEC Eloy Alfaro International Airport
Eloy Alfaro International Airport (IATA: MEC, ICAO:SEMT) is located in the the city of Manta, Ecuador.

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IATA Code

MEC

ICAO Code

SEMT

Name

Eloy Alfaro International Airport

Type

Country / Region

Ecuador (EC)

City

Manta

Latitude

-0.9460780

Longitude

-80.6788025

Time Zone

UTC−05:00

Phone Number

Est. Unit Price

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Airport Overview

Eloy Alfaro International Airport (MEC)

Eloy Alfaro International Airport is the international airport serving Manta, on Ecuador’s Pacific coast. It is a regional passenger and logistics gateway rather than a large-scale dedicated cargo hub. The airport is located at approximately 0.946078° south and 80.6788025° west, in the UTC−05:00 time zone. For international freight, our service team treats the airport as a routing option that requires confirmation of the operating carrier, available cargo allotment, handling acceptance and customs arrangements before booking. Manta’s location provides access to coastal commercial activity and nearby production areas, while longer-haul shipments may require an onward connection through another Ecuadorian or regional gateway. The airport’s international designation does not, by itself, confirm a permanent freighter schedule, bonded storage capacity or acceptance of every cargo category.

IATA / ICAO	MEC / SEMT
Official name	Eloy Alfaro International Airport
City / country	Manta, Ecuador
Coordinates	−0.9460780, −80.6788025
Time zone	UTC−05:00
Logistics classification	International regional airport with cargo movements subject to carrier and ground-handler confirmation

Key Highlights

Key logistics considerations

Regional rather than hub-oriented: cargo planning should begin with a verified routing and handling check, not with an assumption of direct long-haul freighter availability.
Coastal Ecuador location: Manta can be relevant for shipments serving the city and surrounding coastal markets, but inland delivery may require coordinated trucking.
Capacity is operationally variable: aircraft type, passenger-belly capacity, seasonal schedules and carrier embargoes can affect acceptance.
Documentation-led execution: airway bill data, commercial documents, customs status and commodity details should be finalized before cargo delivery.
Special cargo requires advance approval: dangerous goods, temperature-sensitive products, live animals and oversized pieces should not be tendered without written acceptance.

Cargo Facilities & Services

Facility planning for air freight

Publicly available airport master data does not establish the current size, equipment inventory or operating scope of individual cargo facilities. Our service team therefore confirms the following items with the airline, appointed ground handler and customs representative before release instructions are issued:

General cargo handlingAcceptance, weighing, screening, build-up and breakdown arrangements depend on the operating carrier and local handler.

Customs-controlled movementConfirm whether the shipment can move through an authorized customs area and whether import, export or transit processing is available for the intended routing.

Temperature-sensitive cargoObtain written confirmation of cool-room access, handover limits, packaging requirements and the maximum permitted dwell time.

Dangerous goodsAcceptance depends on airline approval, packaging, declaration, labels, handling capability and any route-specific restrictions.

Oversized or heavy piecesVerify aircraft door dimensions, handling equipment, palletization limits and vehicle access before cargo is dispatched.

Pickup and delivery coordinationOur team can coordinate airport-side collection, customs release and onward trucking, subject to local appointment and access rules.

Routes & Transit Times

Routing and schedule assessment

Shipments may be planned as a local airport movement when an operating carrier confirms capacity; otherwise, a connection through a larger Ecuadorian or regional gateway may be more practical.
Potential connections, airline participation and flight frequency change over time. Our service team verifies the current schedule, cargo allotment, transfer point and acceptance status before quoting.
Actual transit time depends on connection availability, cargo cut-off, security screening, customs release, weekend or holiday handling and the need for inland trucking.
For urgent cargo, we compare a direct airport option with an alternative gateway and road feeder plan rather than promising a fixed transit time before the routing is confirmed.

Planning rule: treat all transit estimates as subject to airline confirmation, airport acceptance and customs processing. The booking confirmation should state the agreed routing and handover points.

Hinterland & Key Cargo

Service area and commodity profile

Manta and nearby coastal markets: suitable for shipments whose consignee, project site or distribution point is in the Manta area or along Ecuador’s coast, subject to delivery-road feasibility.
Commercial and industrial supplies: time-sensitive spare parts, machinery components, maintenance materials and samples may be considered when dimensions and import documentation are clear.
Consumer and commercial goods: apparel, electronics, packaged goods and general merchandise require accurate HS classification, valuation and importer information.
Perishable or temperature-sensitive products: acceptance must be checked case by case because handling windows, packaging and onward delivery conditions are critical.
Project and oversized cargo: route feasibility, aircraft loading capability, road permits and final-mile equipment should be assessed before a rate is issued.

Operations & Compliance

Execution and compliance controls

Cut-off control: the airline and ground handler set cargo acceptance and document cut-offs. Our team obtains the applicable deadline after the flight and handling arrangement are confirmed.
Complete shipment data: provide shipper and consignee details, commercial invoice, packing list, accurate description, pieces, weight, dimensions, customs information and any permits required for the commodity.
Special cargo declarations: dangerous goods require a compliant shipper’s declaration where applicable; batteries, aerosols, chemicals, biological materials, live animals and perishables must be disclosed before booking.
Customs and inspection risk: inconsistent descriptions, values, HS codes, marks or package counts can lead to holds or examination. Cargo should not be delivered until document and customs instructions are aligned.

Shipping Tips

Recommended booking workflow

Send our service team the commodity, dimensions, gross weight, package type, origin, destination, ready date and customs status before requesting a final routing.
Ask us to verify carrier acceptance, available allotment, aircraft and connection plan, special-cargo restrictions, airport handling and final-mile delivery requirements.
Use transport packaging suitable for stacking and handling; protect temperature-sensitive goods with a validated packaging solution and provide the required handling instructions.
Keep a contingency option through another gateway or a road feeder arrangement for urgent shipments if local capacity, connection timing or special handling is not confirmed.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Can Eloy Alfaro International Airport accept international air cargo?

International cargo planning may be possible, but acceptance depends on the current operating carrier, ground handler, customs arrangement, cargo category and available capacity. Our team confirms these conditions before booking.

Is a direct international freighter service available?

A permanent freighter route should not be assumed. We verify the current schedule and may recommend a connection through another gateway when that produces a more reliable cargo plan.

Can temperature-controlled or pharmaceutical cargo be shipped through the airport?

Only after confirming cool-chain facilities, airline acceptance, packaging, transfer exposure and final delivery conditions. A temperature-sensitive booking should not be tendered on the basis of passenger-terminal availability alone.

What information is required for a dangerous-goods quotation?

Provide the proper shipping name, UN number, class or division, packing group where applicable, quantity, package type, net and gross weights, safety documentation and route details. Final acceptance remains subject to airline review.

How should import delivery be arranged?

Share the consignee’s legal and customs details early. Our service team coordinates the airport handover, customs instructions and local delivery plan, while release remains subject to Ecuadorian customs and carrier procedures.

Data Sources & Provenance

Source and verification boundary

Airport identity, codes, location, city, country and time-zone values in this module are based on the supplied airport master data for Eloy Alfaro International Airport. Operational statements are deliberately limited to planning guidance and are not a substitute for current airline, ground-handler or customs confirmation.

Regulatory and aeronautical reference context: aviacioncivil.gob.ec
Ecuador customs reference context: aduana.gob.ec
International airline and cargo terminology reference: iata.org

Flight schedules, cargo allotments, handling facilities, cut-off times, customs availability, special-cargo acceptance and transit times must be revalidated for each shipment and operating date.