Eloy Alfaro International Airport (SEMT)
Medium airport · Manta, Manabi Province, Ecuador
Airport data
| Name | Eloy Alfaro International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SEMT |
| IATA | MEC |
| Elevation | 48 ft (15 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 0°56'46" W 80°40'44" -0.94608, -80.67880 |
| Location | Manta, Manabi Province, Ecuador |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/23 | 9,383 ft (2860 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Eloy Alfaro International Airport at a glance
Eloy Alfaro International Airport is a medium airport in Manta, Manabi Province, Ecuador, known to airline systems as MEC. The field elevation of 48 ft (15 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SEMT are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 05/23, offers 9,383 ft (2860 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 05 points roughly 50° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for SEMT shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Eloy Alfaro International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Reales Tamarindos Airport | SEPV | 25 km (14 NM) |
| General Ulpiano Paez International Airport | SESA | 145 km (78 NM) |
| José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport | SEGU | 161 km (87 NM) |
| Cotopaxi International Airport | SELT | 229 km (124 NM) |
| Chachoán Regional Airport | SEAM | 236 km (127 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Eloy Alfaro International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 48 ft field elevation of Eloy Alfaro International Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 17 airports and airfields we list for Ecuador — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Eloy Alfaro International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Eloy Alfaro International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Eloy Alfaro International Airport is SEMT, and its IATA code is MEC. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Eloy Alfaro International Airport above sea level?
Eloy Alfaro International Airport sits at an elevation of 48 feet (15 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Eloy Alfaro International Airport located?
The airport lies at -0.9461, -80.6788 — in Manta, Manabi Province, Ecuador, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Reales Tamarindos Airport, about 25 km away.
Does SEMT publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SEMT appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Eloy Alfaro International Airport?
Eloy Alfaro International Airport has one runway. The longest, 05/23, measures 9,383 ft (2860 m) with a ASP surface.