Belize's Airports: A Comprehensive Overview

Belize has one international airport, Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, and several domestic airports. The international airport is located in Ladyville, a village approximately 9-10 miles outside of Belize City. The airport is named after Hon. Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, a popular Belizean activist and politician who died in 2001. The five most popular domestic airports in Belize are Belize City Municipal Airport, San Pedro Airport, Caye Caulker Airport, Placencia Airport, and San Ignacio Airport.

Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport

Belize has 11 airports, including the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, which is the only international airport in the country. The airport is located in Ladyville, a village/suburb that is 10 miles northwest of Belize City, and can be reached in 20 minutes by car. It is the largest and busiest airport in Belize, serving approximately 1.1 million passengers. The airport is dedicated to the memory of Hon. Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, a Belizean activist and politician who died in 2001.

The Philip Goldson International Airport (IATA: BZE) is owned by the Government of Belize and the Belize Airports Authority. It has a total area of 457 acres and is at an elevation of 5m (16 ft) above sea level. The airport has two terminals, with a total of 7 departure gates, and offers a range of services and facilities for passengers, including duty-free shops, restaurants, bars, and car rental services.

In 2018, the airport received over 5,000 international and 26,000 domestic flights, with 11 international and two domestic airlines operating scheduled flights to various destinations in North America, Latin America, Europe, and the Caribbean. The airport also offers domestic air connections to popular tourist destinations in Belize, such as San Pedro and Corozal, through domestic carriers Maya Island Air and Tropic Air.

The Philip Goldson International Airport has undergone improvements and expansions over the years, including a $60 million Airport Improvements Project that included infrastructure expansion, a new Eastern Taxiway, a new car park facility, personnel training, and equipment upgrades. The airport is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and services beyond normal hours can be arranged upon request.

Domestic airports in Belize

Belize has one international airport and several domestic airports scattered across the country, mainly in the most populous areas of each district. These domestic airports are primarily used by tourists during the high season.

The Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (PGIA) is the only international airport in Belize. It is located in Ladyville, a village approximately 9-10 miles outside of Belize City. The airport is named after Hon. Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, a popular Belizean activist and politician who died in 2001.

The 5 most popular domestic airports in Belize are:

• Belize City Municipal Airport (also known as Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport)
• San Pedro Airport
• Caye Caulker Airport
• Placencia Airport
• San Ignacio Airport

Other domestic airports in Belize include:

• Corozal Town Airport
• Hector Silva Airstrip – Belmopan Airport
• John Greif II Airport — San Pedro, Ambergris Caye Airport
• Maya Flats Airstrip – San Ignacio Town Airport
• Caye Chapel Airport
• Dangriga Airport
• Independence and Mango Creek Airport
• Orange Walk Airport
• Punta Gorda Airport
• Sarteneja Airport
• Savannah Airport

Belize has two domestic airlines: Maya Island Air and Tropic Air. These airlines primarily use Cessna Caravan planes, also known as "puddle jumpers", and operate from the Philip Goldson International Airport and domestic airports across Belize.

International airlines that fly to Belize

Belize is served by Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, located around 10 miles north of Belize City. This airport is the destination for all international flights to Belize from the US.

Several airlines operate international flights to Belize, including:

• United Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• Avianca Airlines
• Copa Airlines
• Tropic Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Jet Blue
• Frontier Airlines
• British Airways
• WestJet
• Sun Country Airlines

Direct flights to Belize are available from several North American hubs, including Toronto, Calgary, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Minneapolis, New York, LA, and Denver. From Europe, travellers can fly from London Heathrow, with a short layover in Miami.

For those travelling from the US, there are several nonstop flight options, depending on your city of origin. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) both offer nonstop flights to Belize, with other US cities, such as Denver, Houston, and Atlanta, providing direct connections with a single layover.

Local Belizean airlines

Belize is a tropical country in Central America, with over 400 islands and the world's second-largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea off its coast. The country boasts a range of natural attractions, including pristine beaches, a coral reef, jungles, caves, and ancient Mayan ruins. Getting to Belize is easy, with direct flights from the US, Canada, and Central America. All international flights land at the Philip Goldson International Airport, located about 10 miles north of Belize City. From there, domestic carriers such as Maya Island Air and Tropic Air offer connections to top tourist destinations within Belize.

Maya Island Air

Maya Island Air is a domestic carrier in Belize that provides connections to popular tourist destinations within the country. The airline operates from the Philip Goldson International Airport and the Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport in Belize City. Maya Island Air offers a convenient way to travel between Belize City and destinations such as San Pedro (Ambergris Caye), Corozal, Dangriga/Hopkins, and Punta Gorda. The airline is one of the two major domestic airlines in Belize, providing a comfortable and intimate travel experience with compact aircraft accommodating 5 to 20 passengers.

Tropic Air

Tropic Air is another major domestic airline in Belize, offering a similar service to Maya Island Air. With a range of daily flights, Tropic Air ensures convenient travel within the country. Operating from the same departure points as Maya Island Air, Tropic Air provides easy connections to destinations such as Placencia, San Pedro, Corozal, and Punta Gorda. As a prominent domestic carrier, Tropic Air also offers international flights to neighbouring countries in Central America, including Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Other Local Airlines

In addition to Maya Island Air and Tropic Air, there are several other local airlines and air services in Belize. These include the following:

• Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport: Also known as the Belize Municipal Airport, it is located in Belize City and serves as a hub for domestic flights.
• Caye Caulker Airport: Serves the small island of Caye Caulker, offering connections to nearby destinations.
• Corozal Airport (Ranchito Airstrip): Provides air services to the Corozal District in northern Belize.
• Independence Airport: Services the Independence and Mango Creek areas in southern Belize.
• Matthew Spain Airport: A small airport located in southern Belize, serving local areas.
• John Greif II Airport: A local airport in southern Belize, providing air services to nearby communities.
• Silver Creek Airport: Located in southern Belize, offering connections to nearby destinations.
• Spanish Lookout Airport (Manatee Airport): A small airport serving the Spanish Lookout community in western Belize.

Transport from the airport

The Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport is the primary international airport in Belize and is located only 10 miles from Belize City, in the village of Ladyville. All international flights arrive at this airport, and some domestic flights also depart from here, although others leave from the Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport in Belize City.

There are several transport options available to travellers arriving at the airport.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available and convenient, but they come with a relatively higher cost. It is important to opt for a licensed taxi, which can be identified by its distinctive green license plate.

Domestic Flights

For those seeking a quicker travel option, domestic flights are available with the country's two major domestic airlines: Tropic Air and Maya Island Air. These flights depart from the Philip Goldson International Airport and the Sir Barry Bowen Airport, offering an intimate and cosy travel experience in compact aircraft that accommodate 5 to 20 passengers.

Public Bus

For a budget-friendly option, the public bus network offers an authentic travel experience. The main bus station in Belize City is the starting point for a scenic five-hour journey to Placencia, located approximately 160 miles away. A one-way ticket is affordable at around $15, but buses tend to be busy, so prepare for a bustling atmosphere.

Private Transfer

Private transfer services, such as Barefoot Services, offer a seamless and personalised door-to-door travel experience. For groups of up to four individuals, the cost per person is USD $74, providing a comfortable and exclusive journey.

Shuttle Services

Barefoot Services also provides convenient shuttle services from the airport to Placencia for travellers seeking both affordability and convenience. These services are offered at attractive rates, currently priced at USD $49.

Car Rental

Car rental services are available for those who prefer to explore Belize at their own pace. A valid driver's license from your home country is required to legally drive in Belize. Several rental companies are scattered throughout Belize and Placencia, offering the freedom to craft your own itinerary and choose your pit stops.

Overall, travellers arriving at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize have a range of transport options to choose from, allowing for a smooth transition to their desired destination within the country.

Frequently asked questions