Mobility Humanities

The field of aeromobilities has evolved into a multifaceted domain of research, shaped by diverse scales, contexts, and disciplinary approaches, most of which originate in the Global North. Seeking to contribute to a Southern perspective on airports' material aesthetics and airport geography, this study examines the building process and subsequent structure and interior design development of the new Mariscal Sucre International Airport (MSA) in Quito, Ecuador, between 2013 and 2024. The study first explores the historical, emotional, and social practices attached to the former airport. Second, it describes the aspirations and narratives articulated by state authorities and technical actors regarding the new airport. It finalises with an analysis of the current infrastructure and interior design. This analysis highlights a disjuncture between official imaginaries, the built environment and local dynamics. During the first phase (2013-2018), interior design largely followed global commercial and aesthetic norms, privileging international standards over local identity. In the second phase (2019-2024), however, the airport has undergone transformations, incorporating local elements to the space. Yet, despite its celebrated design, the MSA contrasts sharply with the uneven development and social exclusion of its surrounding territory.