The Belize Department of Civil Aviation (BDCA) launched a six-month technical study on November 10th to improve the capacity and efficiency of Belize’s air traffic system without immediately building major new airport infrastructure. The study aims to develop the country’s first Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for inter-airport capacity and route efficiency, with work led by international consulting firm Tetra Tech and The Aviation Group.
The study will examine how aircraft move between Belize’s airports and through its airspace, then recommend practical measures to accommodate more flights safely while reducing delays. Its central aim is to make better use of existing runways, routes and air traffic systems before the country commits to costly new construction.
The study covers Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (PGIA) and airports with scheduled services, including San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia, Dangriga, Corozal and the Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport in Belize City. It will also consider international connections to the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America, with particular attention to the heavily used PGIA–San Pedro corridor.
The project will be carried out in four phases. It begins with a three-day visit to Belize, including meetings at BDCA offices, stakeholder interviews and visits to air traffic control facilities and selected airports. The second phase will assess current and future traffic demand, delays, peak-hour operations, air navigation technology and procedures against International Civil Aviation Organization standards.
The third phase will develop a plan for efficient route use, demand management, stakeholder coordination and safety, prioritizing improvements that require little capital investment. The final phase will deliver a CONOPS with recommendations, alternatives, and a prioritized implementation roadmap, presented in person to the BDCA and stakeholders.
The study comes amid speculation and community opposition surrounding a proposed new airport in northern Ambergris Caye. Residents and local leaders have expressed concerns about environmental damage, disruption to San Pedro Town, and overdevelopment on the island. While the study focuses on improving existing travel corridors, its findings have yet to establish what additional infrastructure may be needed.
The BDCA will work with the Central American Corporation for Air Navigation Services (COCESNA), airlines, airport operators and other stakeholders throughout the project. The department has emphasized that the study will not affect flight schedules or airport operations, and travelers should experience no disruption as a result of the work.
The study will address capacity constraints at PGIA previously identified in Belize’s national planning documents. Those documents have also proposed longer-term measures, including airport master plans and expanded air traffic management capacity.
If the study identifies workable efficiency measures, Belize could see improved coordination among airlines, airports and air navigation providers, potentially reducing delays on busy routes such as PGIA–San Pedro. For San Pedro, the findings could help inform decisions about how to accommodate growing air traffic demand and whether additional airport infrastructure is necessary. The BDCA was unavailable for comment.