Ecuador updates air travel rules to protect passengers and expand options
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Ecuador’s National Assembly approved a new Civil Aviation Law on September 24, 2026, changing regulations for passengers, airlines, and drone operators throughout the country.
The updated law replaces regulations that were twenty years old and directly impacts the rights of people who fly. It requires airlines to offer compensation and refunds when they cancel or interrupt travel plans. The law also provides discounts on airfare.
Ecuador will now require a 50% fare reduction for senior citizens and people with disabilities, while maintaining discounted fares for residents of the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon region. The government is also establishing stricter rules for unmanned aircraft, or drones. Drones weighing 250 grams or more must be registered with aviation authorities so officials can track and identify them. The new law promotes open skies policies, allowing foreign airlines to operate within Ecuador without establishing a local company.
These airlines can operate domestic routes and employ both Ecuadorian and foreign crew members, though they must first submit a report to the government before flying to the Galapagos Islands. The government will also consider allowing private companies to manage airports in certain situations, such as when the state lacks the necessary resources, but will retain ownership and control.
Finally, the law transfers oversight of aviation policy to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and creates an independent accident investigation board.
