TUA · medium airport

Lieutenant Colonel Luis A. Mantilla International Airport

Tulcán, Ecuador

Airports

TUAmedium airport

Lieutenant Colonel Luis A. Mantilla International Airport

Tulcán, Ecuador

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SETU

ICAO

9649 ft

Elevation

TravelerPulse profile

Ecuador's northernmost international gateway near the Colombian border.

Location

Tulcán, Ecuador

Lieutenant Colonel Luis A. Mantilla International Airport (IATA: TUA, ICAO: SETU) serves Tulcán, the capital of Carchi Province in northern Ecuador. Situated at an elevation of approximately 2,960 meters (9,711 feet) above sea level, it is one of the highest commercial airports in Ecuador, presenting notable operational challenges due to altitude and mountainous terrain. The airport primarily handles domestic routes connecting Tulcán to Quito, with limited international connectivity. Its location near the Colombian border makes it a strategically important facility for cross-border travelers, though many passengers also use the nearby Rumichaca land crossing between Ecuador and Colombia.

Terminals

The airport has a single small terminal building handling both domestic and limited international passenger operations.

Getting to & from

Taxis and informal shared vehicles (camionetas) are the primary means of ground transport between the airport and Tulcán city center.

Airlines here

LATAM Airlines Ecuador and smaller regional carriers have historically served the airport with connections primarily to Quito.

Notable facts

›Sits at approximately 2,960 meters (9,711 feet) above sea level, making it one of Ecuador's highest airports.
›Located very close to the Colombian border, near the Rumichaca international crossing.
›Named after Lieutenant Colonel Luis A. Mantilla, an Ecuadorian military aviator.
›High altitude and surrounding terrain can make takeoff and landing conditions challenging.
›Serves as an important transport node for Carchi Province's trade and commerce with Colombia.

Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Airlines serving this airport

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Routes

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

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