Belize City Airport: A Compact Gateway To Adventure

Belize City is served by two airports: Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE/PGIA) and Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport (formerly Belize City Municipal Airport) (TZA). Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport is the only international airport in Belize and is located in Ladyville, 10 miles from Belize City. The airport is owned by the Government of Belize and the Belize Airports Authority and is operated by the Belize Airport Concession Company Limited. It has a total area of 457 acres, with a 9,900-foot runway and a 735,800 sq. ft. parking apron. The airport terminal building is approximately 110,000 sq. ft. and features two terminals, international and domestic arrival and departure halls, restaurants, shops, and other services. Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport, on the other hand, is located just one mile from Belize City's center and primarily serves domestic destinations, providing faster travel to Belize's cayes compared to boat or water taxi.

The airport is 10 miles from Belize City

Belize's primary international airport is Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (PGIA/BZE), located just 10 miles from Belize City. The airport is situated in the village of Ladyville, in the Belize District, and is easily accessible from the city by car, with a travel time of around 20 to 30 minutes.

The airport is named after Hon. Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, a Belizean activist and politician who passed away in 2001. It is owned by the Government of Belize and the Belize Airports Authority and operated by the Belize Airport Concession Company Limited. PGIA is the only international airport in the country, serving as the gateway for all international flights to Belize.

Covering an area of 457 acres, the airport features a 9,900-foot runway, capable of accommodating large aircraft, and a 735,800 square foot apron with parking slots for 10 large planes. The airport terminal spans 110,000 square feet and includes Terminals 1 and 2, international and domestic arrival and departure halls, restaurants, shops, and various other amenities.

For travellers arriving at PGIA, ground transportation options include taxis and rental cars available at the airport. The journey to Belize City typically takes around 25 to 30 minutes by car, making it a convenient option for those visiting the city or connecting to other destinations within Belize.

The airport also serves as a hub for domestic airlines Tropic Air and Maya Island Air, providing connections to various local airstrips and airfields within the country. With its proximity to Belize City and convenient transportation options, PGIA plays a crucial role in connecting travellers to their final destinations, making it an important gateway to the country.

It covers 457 acres

Belize City is served by two airports: Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE/PGIA) and Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport (formerly Belize City Municipal Airport) (TZA). Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport is the only international airport in Belize and is located in Ladyville, 10 miles from Belize City. It covers 457 acres and includes a 9,900-foot runway, a 735,800-square-foot parking apron, and a 110,000-square-foot terminal building. The airport has two terminals, international and domestic arrival and departure halls, restaurants, shops, and various other services. It serves as a hub for several international and domestic airlines, connecting Belize to destinations in the United States, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.

Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport, on the other hand, is located just one mile from Belize City's centre. It primarily serves as a gateway to Belize's cayes, providing faster travel than boat or water taxi. This airport also has Maya Island Air and Tropic Air as operators, with multiple flights daily.

While Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport spans a considerable area of 457 acres, the exact dimensions of Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport are not readily available. However, being primarily a domestic airport, it likely covers a smaller area.

The size of Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport allows it to accommodate a wide range of facilities and services. The 110,000-square-foot terminal building houses not only the expected functions, such as arrival and departure halls, but also a variety of restaurants, duty-free shops, souvenir shops, and other services. The vast 457-acre area enables efficient aircraft movement, with a 9,900-foot runway and a spacious parking apron that can accommodate 10 large aircraft.

The airport's expanse also contributes to its capacity to handle a significant number of passengers and flights. In 2018, the airport served approximately 1.1 million passengers, with over 5,000 international and 26,000 domestic flights. This scale of operations requires a large area for efficient aircraft and passenger management, ensuring smooth arrivals and departures for travellers.

The 457-acre area of Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport also includes various support facilities critical to its operations. The airport has two car parks, A and B, providing a total of 390 parking spaces. Additionally, there is a stand-alone, full-service 12,000-square-foot air cargo terminal building located on the airport's northern section. This dedicated cargo facility further emphasises the functional distribution of the airport's expansive area.

The runway is 9,900 feet long

Belize's primary international airport is Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (PGIA), located 10 miles from Belize City in the village/suburb of Ladyville. The airport is named after Hon. Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, a Belizean activist and politician who passed away in 2001.

The PGIA runway is 9,900 feet long, allowing it to accommodate large jets for international aviation. This length is an increase from the original 5,000-foot asphalt runway constructed in 1943. The airport's total area spans 457 acres, with the terminal building covering 110,000 square feet.

The long runway enables PGIA to receive full-size aircraft from various international airlines, including American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta, Southwest Airlines, United, and U.S. Airways. These airlines offer non-stop services to PGIA from multiple cities in the United States, Mexico, and Central America.

In addition to the runway length, PGIA also boasts a spacious parking apron of 735,800 square feet, providing ample space for aircraft parking and ground operations. The airport's elevation above sea level is 15 feet, and it operates daily from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with services available upon request beyond these hours.

With its 9,900-foot runway, Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport plays a crucial role in connecting Belize to the world, facilitating international travel, and contributing to the country's tourism and economic development.

The terminal building is 110,000 sq ft

Belize's primary international airport is Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (PGIA), located in Ladyville, just 10 miles from Belize City. The airport is named after Hon. Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, a Belizean activist and politician who passed away in 2001. With a total area of 457 acres, the airport features a 9,900-foot runway, capable of accommodating full-size aircraft, and an impressive terminal building spanning 110,000 square feet.

The terminal building at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport is an expansive structure, covering 110,000 square feet. It houses Terminals 1 and 2, providing efficient processing for both international and domestic travellers. The building is designed to accommodate a seamless flow of passengers, incorporating international arrival and departure halls, as well as a dedicated domestic arrival hall. This thoughtful layout ensures a smooth and organised travel experience for all visitors.

Within the 110,000-square-foot terminal, passengers can also access a range of amenities and services. The building includes restaurants, snack outlets, and bars, ensuring travellers have a variety of dining and refreshment options during their time at the airport. For those looking to shop, the terminal boasts gift and souvenir shops, as well as duty-free stores. Additionally, travellers can take care of their financial needs with the on-site bank, and there are various other services available to cater to different traveller requirements.

The sheer size of the terminal building, at 110,000 square feet, allows for a spacious and comfortable environment for passengers. With a total of 10 departure gates, travellers can conveniently board their flights without the rush and congestion often found at smaller terminals. The ample space also facilitates the smooth movement of passengers from check-in to boarding, enhancing the overall airport experience.

The Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport terminal building, measuring 110,000 square feet, is an integral part of the airport's infrastructure. It serves as a central hub, connecting travellers to their desired destinations. The building's design and amenities contribute to a positive travel experience, ensuring that passengers have access to all the necessary facilities under one roof. The efficient utilisation of space within the terminal enhances the overall functionality of the airport, making it a key gateway to Belize for international and domestic visitors alike.

It has 390 parking spaces

The Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, also known as PGIA, is the primary international airport of Belize. It is located 10 miles from Belize City in the village/suburb of Ladyville. The airport has a total area of 457 acres and is equipped with a long runway measuring 9,700 to 9,900 feet, enabling it to accommodate full-size aircraft.

When it comes to parking, the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport offers a comprehensive system. Car Park A and Car Park B together provide a total of 390 parking spaces for airport users. Car Park A is designed for visitors and travellers, charging a US$2.00 exit fee. It also offers overnight parking for US$9.00 per night, catering to those who need to leave their vehicles for extended periods. On the other hand, Car Park B is designated specifically for airport employees, ensuring that staff have a dedicated parking area.

The parking facilities at the airport contribute to its overall functionality and convenience. With 390 spaces, travellers can feel assured that they have a reasonable chance of finding a parking spot upon their arrival. This parking capacity is well-suited to accommodate the high volume of passengers the airport serves, which was approximately 1.1 million in 2018.

The Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport is a hub for various airlines, including American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta, Southwest Airlines, and United, among others. It handles both international and domestic flights, serving as a gateway to Belize and facilitating travel within the country. The airport's parking system, with its designated areas for visitors and employees, helps streamline the travel experience for all users.

In addition to its parking facilities, the airport boasts an array of amenities. The Airport Terminal Building spans 110,000 square feet and encompasses Terminals 1 and 2, arrival and departure halls, restaurants, snack outlets, shops, and other services. The availability of parking spaces within this comprehensive airport layout enhances the overall traveller experience, ensuring that those arriving by car have a designated and secure place to leave their vehicles during their time at the airport.

Frequently asked questions