Ascazubi Airport

The primary reason for the closure was its location within the newly established and highly controlled airspace of the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (SEQM) in Tababela. The Ascazubi airstrip is located only about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) north of the new international airport, placing it directly under its approach and departure paths. Continued operation of a small, uncontrolled VFR (Visual Flight Rules) airstrip in such proximity to a major international hub posed significant air traffic control conflicts and safety risks, making its closure a necessity.

The airport is defunct and the site is no longer used for aviation. Satellite imagery of the coordinates shows the faint, overgrown outline of a north-south grass or dirt runway. The land has been reclaimed by the surrounding agricultural fields of the hacienda it once served. The runway is unmaintained, partially covered by vegetation, and completely unusable for aircraft.

Ascazubi Airport, also known as 'Hacienda La Tola Airstrip', was a private airfield. It was not a commercial airport and did not handle scheduled passenger or cargo flights. Its operations were limited to general aviation, serving private aircraft, ultralights, and likely agricultural aviation (crop dusting) for the large agricultural estates (haciendas) in the area. Its significance was purely local, providing a landing strip for the hacienda owners and local aviation enthusiasts. The ICAO code EC-0068 is a non-official identifier used for small or private airfields in Ecuador, distinct from the official 'SE' prefix for public airports.

None. There are no plans or prospects for reopening Ascazubi Airport. Its proximity to the active flight paths of Ecuador's main international airport, Mariscal Sucre (SEQM), makes its revival for aviation purposes virtually impossible due to modern airspace safety regulations and air traffic control procedures.