South America - Any updates on opening of new Quito airport?

We're flying into Quito approx on Dec 14 for trip to Galapagos. Still finalizing trip details but likely not to spend much time in Quito pre/post galapagos.

Right now we are thinking upon return to UIO on 12/23 from the G islands we'll fly out that evening or next day to Panama.

I've searched online and have not found much info regarding the opening of the new Quito airport - all I've seen is that they are expecting an October opening but I've found just as many posts saying they'd be suprised if they open by then.

The concerns I've read about the new airport - it's seems to be pretty far from town with poor road ( = long travel time) and no nearby hotels

Any insights on the status of new hotel would be appreciated.

Should we consider returning from Galapagos via Guayanqil then flying from there to Panama, esp if we have to overnight?

On a separate note - curious is anyone has been to either Quito or Panama around Christmas? Are services closed or limited due to the holiday?

Given the first commercial flight to do so landed at the new airport at Tababela (which will be named either Mitad del Mundo or Mariscal Sucre - you can vote too, here (http://www.nombrenuevoaeropuerto.com/home.php)) landed July 2 (an American Airlines Boeing 757 with 60 aboard, apparently a fam / VIP flight,) and has passed all certification requirements as of 22 June 2012.

The gov. claims they are "making necessary adjustments" to reach the opening date. The new airport is at 7,000 feet of elevation (without tall buildings all around, and not at UIO's 9,350 ft / 2,850 m elevation) with a 13,800 ft / 4,100 m runway This will allow higher loads (fuel, cargo and passengers) for longer segments and presumably much safer landings than UIO. The new airport is closer to, say, the Hilton Colón or Amazonas at Ave. Patria than the old one.

The announced opening date is still 12 October 2012 at this date. (c.o. Hoy) See it here (http://bit.ly/MVJ740)on Google Maps (zoomable).

The new Collas - Tababela highway / connector between the Pan Am highway and the airport is but 21% complete, due to open in 2014.

About a month ago I passed by the new airport. No way in hell will it be ready by October, based on the view from the road... I didn't see nearly enough infrastructure (in terms of access roads and actual buildings) to see how it could be up and running by then. Official line still says October though.