Belize Airport Bze: Location And Accessibility

Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (IATA: BZE, ICAO: MZBZ) is Belize's main airport and the only international airport in the country. It is located in Ladyville, a village/suburb that is 10 miles northwest of Belize City, and can be reached in 20-30 minutes by car. The airport is at an elevation of 5m (16 ft), which means it is at risk of serious flooding due to its low elevation and coastal location. Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport is currently the fifth busiest airport in Central America.

Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport

The airport is named after Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, a Belizean activist and politician who died in 2001. It is owned by the Government of Belize and the Belize Airports Authority. In 2018, the airport served approximately 1.1 million passengers, with over 5,000 international and 26,000 domestic flights. Currently, 11 international and two domestic airlines operate from the airport, with scheduled flights to the USA, Canada, Latin America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe.

The terminal building is approximately 110,000 sq ft and contains Terminals 1 and 2, International Arrival and Departure Halls, a Domestic Arrival Hall, restaurants, bars, snack outlets, gift/souvenir shops, duty-free shops, a bank, and various other services. Outside the terminal, there are car parking lots, a Rental Services Center, and street food stalls.

In mid-2020, a new paved access road was completed from the George Price Highway, providing a direct route to the airfield's passenger terminal. The airport is currently undergoing a $60 million Airport Improvements Project, which includes infrastructure expansion, a new Eastern Taxiway, a new car park facility, personnel training, new services, and equipment upgrades.

Location and travel time

Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (IATA: BZE, ICAO: MZBZ) is the largest airport in Belize, located in the village of Ladyville, about 10 miles northwest of Belize City. The airport is about a 20-30 minute drive from Belize City centre. The airport is dedicated to the memory of Hon. Philip S. W. Goldson, a Belizean activist and politician who died in 2001.

The airport covers 457 acres of land and has one runway and two passenger terminals. It is the hub for Tropic Air and Maya Island Air, the country's two major domestic airlines. The airport is Belize's only international airport and is the fifth busiest airport in Central America. In 2018, the airport received over 5,000 international and 26,000 domestic flights, serving approximately 1.1 million passengers.

There are a few transportation options available to get to and from the airport. Taxis are readily available outside the exit doors of the airport and typically cost around US$25 per trip to Belize City. Shuttles and private car transfers are also offered by hotels and private companies. For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, Belize's public bus network offers an affordable and scenic journey to various destinations. For example, a one-way ticket from Belize City to Placencia, a journey of approximately 160 miles, costs around $15.

For those who prefer to travel by air, domestic flights are also an option. Tropic Air and Maya Island Air offer daily domestic flights to locations across Belize. These flights depart from either the Philip Goldson International Airport or the Sir Barry Bowen Airport, also known as the Belize Municipal Airport, both located in Belize City. It's important to note that these flights typically use smaller aircraft, accommodating 5 to 20 passengers.

Overall, Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport is a convenient gateway to Belize, offering various transportation options to suit different preferences and budgets.

Military history

Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (IATA: BZE) is Belize’s main airport and the country's only international airport. It is located in Ladyville, a village/suburb that is 10 miles northwest of Belize City, and can be reached in 20 minutes by car. The airport is named after Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, a Belizean activist and politician who died in 2001.

Due to the Belizean–Guatemalan territorial dispute, the airport has hosted several military units over the years since its construction. In 1984, a senior US Air Force General stated that it was "the best-defended airfield in Central America". The airport has been home to many military units, including Headquarters British Forces Belize, No. 1417 (Tactical Ground Attack) Flight RAF operating Harrier jump jets, No. 1563 (Helicopter support) Flight RAF, resident Anti-Aircraft Squadrons of the RAF Regiment, resident helicopter units of the Army Air Corps, and the Belize Defence Forces, among others. Price Barracks, a military installation located just north of the airport, was formerly known as Airport Camp, serving as the headquarters of British Forces Belize.

Airlines and destinations

Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (IATA: BZE, ICAO: MZBZ) is the largest airport in Belize and the only international airport in the country. It is located in Ladyville, a village/suburb that is 10 miles northwest of Belize City, and can be reached in 20-30 minutes by car. The airport is named after Philip S. W. Goldson, a Belizean politician and activist who died in 2001.

The airport currently serves 11 international and two domestic airlines, with flights to the USA, Canada, Latin America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe.

International destinations include:

• Toronto–Pearson
• Los Angeles
• Seattle/Tacoma
• Dallas/Fort Worth
• Miami
• Charlotte
• Panama City–Tocumen
• Atlanta
• Minneapolis/St. Paul
• Cancún
• Chetumal
• Corozal
• Dangriga
• Placencia
• Punta Gorda
• Roatán
• San Pedro
• San Pedro Sula
• San Salvador

Domestic destinations include:

• Caye Caulker
• Caye Chapel
• Corozal
• Dangriga
• Placencia
• Punta Gorda
• San Pedro

Airport facilities and services

Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (IATA: BZE, ICAO: MZBZ) is the only international airport in Belize. It is located in Ladyville, about 30 minutes' drive from Belize City centre. The airport is named after politician Philip S.W. Goldson and serves Belize City, the nation's largest city, along the eastern coast of Central America.

Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport has a single small terminal with a range of facilities and services for passengers. These include:

• A few cafes and bars
• Shops, including duty-free options in the Departures lounge and Arrivals Hall
• Free WiFi, with the networks "PGIA Courtesy WiFi" and "FreeBTLHOTSPOT" available
• Internet kiosks, most of which accept credit cards or internet e-cards, with two accepting cash
• ATMs, located throughout the terminal
• Banking services provided by Atlantic Bank Ltd., including currency exchange in Terminal 2
• Mobile charging stations, located airside
• An information desk in the Arrivals Hall, open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM

The airport does not offer luggage storage, lockers, rest zones, or showers. Smoking is prohibited inside the airport.

Airport Improvements

The airport has undergone a $60 million improvement project, which includes infrastructure expansion, a new Eastern Taxiway, a new car park facility, personnel training, new services, and equipment upgrades.

Frequently asked questions