The Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) in Belize is set to see some major improvements over the next couple of years. The announcement was made at the end of April this year during the first ever Belize Airlift Development Conference. There, Airport Operations Manager Enrique Hoare shared that the $264 million master plan includes the expansion of the airport terminal building – which covers new check in facilities, expanded areas for passenger processing, greater area for restaurants, shops, and car rentals, and expanded arrival and departure halls.
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- Photo by David Unger
The first phase of the airport expansion project is already underway, and includes a brand new airport access road. In the near future, visitors to Belize can also expect new parking facilities as well as improved safety and security equipment. Meanwhile, Phase Two is expected to see the installation of escalators, and jet ways.
Similar: Alaska Airlines to Introduce Daily Non-Stop Belize Flights from LAX
New Departure Fees for Visitors to Belize
Photo courtesy Maya Island Air.
The modernization and expansion of the PGIA will also come with an increase in airport fees for departing visitors. This week the Belize Government approved a motion that will see departure taxes increase to US $36. The increase in the fee, known as “Belize Airports Authority Airport Development and Passenger Service Fees” will take effect on August 1, 2023.
Note: your airport departure tax is usually already included in your plane ticket when your purchase it
Why the Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize is Expanding
Touchdown at PGIA. Image via Roeming Belize
The main purpose of the grand expansion to the airport is to accommodate the projected growth in overnight tourism and airport traffic in Belize through to 2045. Post pandemic, Belize’s tourism industry has rebounded tremendously. In January, the Belize Tourism Board revealed that the country is expected to see an increase in visitors this year. In 2022, said the Board, Belize registered a total of 370,524 overnight tourist arrivals.
Similar: The Global Tourism Resilience Conference Looks at Building a More Sustainable Industry
Featured Image by Meritt Thomas on Unsplash
