Team size: Four

Spotlight on: Managing Legal Risk and Operational Continuity in the Aviation Sector

I serve as Legal and Compliance Manager at Corporación Quiport, the concessionaire of Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport, one of Ecuador’s most important infrastructure assets. I lead a four-member legal team, providing legal and compliance support to an organisation of more than 350 employees operating in a highly regulated environment.

Over the past year, my team and I have been closely involved in strategic projects related to the operation, maintenance and development of the airport. Our work covers regulatory, contractual, corporate and compliance matters, in permanent coordination with technical, financial and operational teams. Given the nature of the aviation sector, maintaining sound and constructive relationships with public authorities is also a key component of our role.

In periods of instability or uncertainty, I approach legal management with a focus on anticipation, clarity and adaptability. I see the legal function as a strategic business partner, one that understands the operational realities of the company and provides practical, business-oriented advice. Beyond identifying risks, we actively contribute to strategy design and decision-making, supporting operational continuity and long-term resilience.

Amid geopolitical shifts and global economic uncertainty, we have reinforced our risk monitoring and compliance practices. Close communication with senior management allows us to deliver timely and actionable legal guidance. We prioritise efficient compliance, negotiated solutions and a strong culture of ethics and corporate integrity, which are essential in a sector that operates under constant regulatory scrutiny.

I have also observed a clear evolution in the expectations placed on in-house counsel. Legal teams are increasingly expected to create strategic value, not simply manage risk. This demands a deep understanding of the business, active participation in planning processes and thoughtful management of external counsel and legal technology. Modern in-house lawyers must combine legal expertise with commercial awareness and adaptability, while upholding the highest professional standards.

What are the most significant cases, projects and/or transactions that you and/or your legal team have recently been involved in?

Over the past year, the legal team of Corporación Quiport S.A. has been actively involved in strategic projects related to the operation, maintenance and development of Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport, a piece of critical national infrastructure. The legal work has encompassed a combination of regulatory, contractual, corporate and compliance matters, always in close coordination with the company’s technical, financial and operational areas, and ensuring proper engagement with public authorities, particularly important in a highly regulated sector such as aviation.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

Managing legal affairs in times of crisis or instability requires a combination of foresight, clear communication and adaptability. Based on Quiport’s experience, the approach has been to position the legal department as a true partner to the business, one that understands the organisation’s operations and is able to provide practical solutions in scenarios of high uncertainty, playing a leading role in strategy design and taking an active part in the decision‑making process.

Given the current geopolitical shifts and growing uncertainties around international free trade, has your company’s risk profile evolved, and are you taking measures to address these challenges?

Legal management in challenging, fast‑changing or crisis contexts relies on continuous risk monitoring, fluid communication with senior management and operational teams, and the ability to provide clear, business‑oriented legal guidance that enables timely decision‑making.

This must be complemented by efficient compliance practices, the prioritisation of negotiated solutions, and a strong culture of ethics and corporate integrity, all of which allow the organisation to respond in an orderly, coherent and resilient manner to adverse scenarios. This approach is also supported by maintaining positive and constructive relationships with the public authorities that interact with our entire team within the airport environment.