Government to Explore Ways to Keep Punta Gorda Connected by Air

Following Tropic Air’s decision to discontinue service to Punta Gorda Town, Toledo, at the end of October, Prime Minister Honorable John Briceño said on October 6th that his government would explore ways to maintain the town’s air connection with the rest of the country.
Speaking during a morning talk show, Briceño said the government would consider interventions to prevent the loss of the service, which provides an important transportation link for southern Belize. He also plans to meet with Maya Island Air’s operators to discuss the possibility of the airline introducing flights to Punta Gorda.
“We believe that as a government, we have a responsibility to try to ensure there is connectivity at all times,” he said. Briceño also noted that upgrades are planned for the runway at the Punta Gorda airport.
Tropic Air announced its decision in a September 30th press release, citing sustained financial losses, rising operating costs, and the route’s long-term commercial unviability. The airline also expressed concern about uncertainty surrounding proposed changes to Belize’s domestic aviation infrastructure, including a proposed $10 security fee from the Belize Airports Authority (BAA).
According to Briceño and the BAA, the proposed fee would be introduced in phases, beginning at $4 and increasing in $1 increments until reaching $10. However, the BAA emphasized that it had not made a final decision on implementation and that stakeholder consultations remained ongoing.
While acknowledging that Tropic Air’s withdrawal was a business decision, the BAA said it remained open to discussions with the airline and other stakeholders. “The Authority understands the concerns that the suspension of service may create for the traveling public and the wider Punta Gorda community. The BAA remains committed to constructive and transparent dialogue with Tropic Air and other aviation stakeholders toward addressing operational concerns and identifying a practical path forward,” the Authority stated.
The announcement has raised concerns among Toledo residents and businesses about the effects of losing air service. Although Punta Gorda remains accessible by road, participants at an October 1st meeting organized by the Belize Tourism Industry Association’s (BTIA) Toledo Chapter said the withdrawal would negatively affect the town’s business and tourism sectors.
Participants also questioned the airline’s corporate social responsibility to the district. BTIA member Wil Maheia said the country needed to prioritize people over profit.
Former Belize High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Kamela Palma, questioned whether the notice period adequately reflected the community’s longstanding loyalty to the airline. “We have given this loyalty to this company, and in fact, not 30 days, maybe 30 years, maybe 30 months, but not 30 days,” she said. Palma expressed hope that the government would intervene.
Another resident highlighted the potential impact on courier services and the transportation of samples for medical testing. “It means transportation costs will increase because if the courier cannot go to Belize City, we need to send a vehicle up,” he said.
He also raised concerns about transporting water samples collected as part of work with the Ministry of Rural Transformation to install wells and pumps. According to the resident, sampling takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays, and the samples must reach their destination within 24 hours.
Passengers whose confirmed bookings are affected by the withdrawal of service should contact Tropic Air’s customer care department for assistance with rebooking or refund arrangements at reservations@tropicair.com.