Travelers to Pay New BZ$10 Security Fee at Municipal Airports

On Wednesday, August 5th, the Government of Belize, through its weekly Cabinet Brief, announced the introduction of a BZ$10 aviation security fee. The fee will apply to every departing passenger traveling through any municipal airport in Belize. It will take effect once the Minister responsible for the Civil Aviation Department, Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño, signs the required Statutory Instrument. As of press time, the Prime Minister had not commented on the announcement, and no date has been set for the signing of the Statutory Instrument.
The Cabinet Brief explained that the Belize Airports Authority (BAA) is mandated to ensure the safety, security, and efficiency of all civil aviation operations in Belize. According to the government, aviation security requirements have evolved significantly in recent years due to heightened global security threats, advances in screening technology, and stricter international compliance standards. As a result, more sophisticated screening procedures and other modernization initiatives are required to strengthen airport security. The government said the introduction of the BZ$10 aviation security fee for departing passengers using municipal airports is necessary to help fund these improvements.
A few residents in San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye viewed the new fee as an additional burden on travelers. One resident said it is the government’s responsibility to fund such improvements, while another acknowledged the importance of enhanced security but expressed concern that the added cost will make domestic air travel less affordable for Belizeans.
The BAA has been collecting a BZ$6 rider fee since 2011, which is automatically added to the cost of domestic airline tickets. Authorities have said that the fee was introduced to help secure funding for airport expansion projects across the country.
Air travel through Belize’s municipal airports, particularly the John Greif II Municipal Airport in San Pedro, changed significantly following the hijacking incident on Holy Thursday in 2025. Since then, enhanced security protocols have remained in place at all municipal airports, with every passenger and their personal belongings undergoing thorough screening before boarding domestic flights.