Mariscal Lamar International Airport

Overview

Mariscal Lamar Airport is the main air gateway for Cuenca, one of Ecuador’s most characterful highland cities, and it plays an outsized role for a medium airport because of the city’s mountain setting and regional importance. Identified as CUE and SECU, the airport sits close to the urban area, which can make arrivals and departures feel unusually connected to the city itself. For travelers, that means less time spent on long airport transfers and more time getting into Cuenca’s historic center, hillside neighborhoods, and cool Andean atmosphere.

Quick facts

• Airport name: Mariscal Lamar Airport
• Serves: Cuenca, Ecuador
• Type: medium airport
• Codes: IATA CUE, ICAO SECU
• Elevation: 8306 ft (2532 m)
• Local time zone: America/Guayaquil

Runway and operating context

The airport has a single lighted asphalt runway, 06/24, measuring 6234 feet, which is well suited to the airport’s domestic and regional role but also reflects the operational realities of flying in the Andes. Its high elevation of 8306 feet is especially relevant for visitors, since the thinner air can make both aircraft performance and personal comfort feel different than at sea-level airports. Even if you are only passing through, it is sensible to move at an easy pace on arrival, stay hydrated, and allow a little extra flexibility in your plans when traveling through a mountain airport environment.

Why it matters for travelers

For most visitors, Mariscal Lamar Airport is less about sprawling terminals and more about convenience, altitude awareness, and easy access to Cuenca. Because it is tied closely to a compact, culturally rich city, the airport works best when approached as part of the overall travel experience rather than just a transport stop. If you are heading to Cuenca for colonial architecture, markets, food, or a base in Ecuador’s southern highlands, this airport delivers a practical and straightforward entry point.