Ecuador Living

Ecuador Fare War

Wednesday January 9, 2008

You can read this message with pictures at

http://www.garyascott.com/2008/01/09/1954.html

Ecuador fares were not high in the first place, but an air fare war from

Miami to Ecuador is heating up due to a new Ecuador airline flying from

Miami as Steve Marchant reports:

“ Gary , There is a new air service between Miami and Guayaquil in Ecuador ;

from there one can transfer rapidly to Quito or the Galapagos Islands or

Cuenca or Manta. It is offered by Aerogal an established operator in

Ecuador . They operate 20 flights a day between Quito and Guayaquil and are

one of three Ecuadorian airlines, the other two are the national airline,

Tame, and Icaro.”

The website is www.aerogal.com.ec Below is from this website:

“Aerogal is the official airline of the Galapagos but has been dramatically

expanding. The line has grown from 700 passengers a month in 2002 to an

average monthly volume of 50,000 passengers and over one million per year.

“The firm has a young and dynamic Executive President, Gabriela Sommerfeld,

who has been working to increase the domestic routes as well as launch

international flights to New York and Miami .

See Gabriela Sommerfeld’s picture at

http://www.garyascott.com/2008/01/09/1954.html

“Aerogal currently offers low price flights between the Galapagos,

Guayaquil , Quito , Cuenca , Manta, San Cristobal , Baltra and Coco . Recently

the US DOT approved daily flights between Guayaquil and Miami . Passengers

there can then travel onto Quito , Cuenca Manta or the Galapagos.

“Aerogal is the only Ecuadorian airline to fly into the U.S. They have a

good focus on safety as well with all of the airline’s planes, including six

new Boeing 737-200 aircraft, serviced exclusively in the U.S. by the

FAA-authorized Tucson-based company Hamilton. They are also the only

airline to offer all passengers first class service including welcome

champagne, warm meals and their own flat panel TV.”

This is also the only Ecuadorian airline that offers online booking. I took

a look at the website and found that a Miami Guayaquil fare was currently

running $450 plus $115 tax or $565 total.

The web site for aerogal takes you to an English site where you can select

flight dates and get quotes.

This is not the least expensive quote. Farecompare shows that American

Airlines is offering flights during this same time for $359. A round trip

flight from Miami to Gauyaquil on AA was quoted at $259 versus $349 for

Aerogal.

We have noted time and again that when new airlines come into Latin American

where American Airlines flies that American becomes very aggressive at

dropping fares. Competition…I love it!

Nor does the web site appear to be the least expensive way to book on

Aerogal. Farecompare.com offered Aerogal flight for $459 on the same dates

as their web site offered the $565 fare.

Merri and I will try the Aerogal soon, but in the meantime whether you fly

Aerogal or any of the other airlines to Ecuador …now is a great time to do it

while prices are low.

Airlines that fly into Quito from the US include:

Airlines serving Quito :

Aerogal

Avianca

American

Copa

Continental

Delta

LanEcuador

Taca

On the subject of Mariscal Sucre airport, this is one of the nicest emerging

airports Merri and I have ever used. Clean carpeted jetports take you to a

shiny marble clad, rose decorated immigration area where the officers

politely and efficiently welcome you to Ecuador . Baggage arrives promptly

and customs rarely looks at your baggage. We are often from the deplane to

our waiting van in less than 30 minutes. The entire process is quiet, well

organized and the baggage handlers treat us well.

The new nearly 4,000 acre airport we expect to be even better. This will

add some great opportunity for real estate in our area now. The new airport

scheduled to open in 2010 is about 15 miles west of Quito and that much

closer (about an hour of travel saved) to our province. This airport will

sit at about 7,500 feet altitude compared to Quito ’s 9,500. This lower

altitude and elimination of noise reduction procedures (due to being away

from town) means larger loads can arrive and take off.

Low air fares to Ecuador are not the only bargain developing right now.

Readers continually ask about dental services here.

We use a laser only-no pain dentist here and many of our delegates do as

well. Cleaning is $15. My crowns (very good ones with four fittings ran

about $300 each.

Prices are generally 30% or less of prices in the US …and we find the care

sweeter…kinder. See

http://www.garyascott.com/2007/01/22/1491.html

http://www.garyascott.com/2007/04/21/1640.html

Now there is a new laser dentist, Doctor Bertha Gomez Lopez, who has moved

to Cotacachi. Our first guest went there last week. His cleaning and seven

temporary fillings cost $15. He is going back for seven porcelain fillings

and the quote is $70. We’ll try her ourselves this week.

I’ll be reporting about my experience immediately at our Ecuador Living

website.

Learn about our full Ecuador service at

http://www.garyascott.com/catalog/ecuador-travel-and-living-service

Since our Ecuador Living service includes a free stay at our hotel El Meson

de las Flores (a $72 value), you should subscribe to this service if you

plan to be in this area.

Until next message, may you find bargains wherever you go.

Gary Scott

Join Merri and me in Sunny Ecuador this winter.

Jan. 18 - 23 Ecuador Spanish Course

http://www.garyascott.com/catalog/ecuador-spanish-course

Jan. 24-25 Imbabura Real Estate Tour.

http://www.garyascott.com/catalog/ecuador-real-estate

Jan. 18-23 Spanish Course & RE Tour and Jan. 24-25 2008 Imbabura Real Estate

Tour Two course savings

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Feb. 18-23 Ecuador Import Export Course

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Enjoy the wonderful crafts markets.

Mar. 7-9 International Investing and Business Made EZ Ecuador

http://www.garyascott.com/catalog/international-business-made-ez-ecuador

Mar. 10-11 Imbabura Real Estate tour

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See beautiful property in our area for sale.

Mar. 12-14 Coastal Real Estate tour

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Enjoy Ecuador ’s empty beaches.

Mar. 7-9 IBEZ and Mar 10-11 Imbabura Real Estate tour

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Mar. 7-9 IBEZ and both real estate tour

http://www.garyascott.com/catalog/ecuador-coastal-real-estate-tour

Most delegates in March will join us for two or three courses as there is a

sizable savings.

http://www.garyascott.com/catalog/ecuador-tours-savings

If you attend all three courses separately the fees are $1,847. Sign up for

all three at only $1,499 here. Save $348. Three course savings.

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Three courses for two separately are $2,597. Two on our three course

adventure is only $1,999. Save $598. Three courses savings for two.

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