The Caye Caulker airstrip has finally been re-opened. It's surely a great relief for Belizeans and tourists to have this quick travel option again. And of course it is great news for the local airlines who have racked up significant losses since they had to discontinue flights one year ago.
Businesses on the island are also rejoicing that visitors can now freely flood the island. I was there for the official opening. Here's that story.
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
It has been about a year since these passengers could have enjoyed a smooth 8 minute flight from Belize City to La Isla Carinosa, Caye Caulker. They were among the few to fly the first flights which touched down at the newly constructed Caye Caulker airport.
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism
"It gives me great honor to declare the Caye Caulker municipal airport officially open."
But it seems it was worth the wait because it is now among the most well outfitted airstrips in the country.
Nick Ruiz, GM, BAA
"It is a runway that is 2,840 feet long by 40 feet wide which has the hot mix coat as they mentioned as well today. But on the sides, we have 10 feet on each side if the aircraft should need it. We have lights. As they mentioned, it is the first time Caye Caulker has lights on the airport, we can say airport now. We will have fencing, you see temporary fencing that we have right now. We have the markings that must be in as per IKO standards and regulations. All of this has been certified by the Department of Civil Aviation. One thing I want to mentioned is actually you are standing where a road used to be so we moved it far away from the runaway, it is far safer. This is a modern, sustainable and safe and secure aerodrome."
And it is expected that the airstrip will remain safe, secure and sturdy for many years to come.
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism
"I believe that whenever we do something we need to do it good, plan it well to its fullest before we do any execution and that is what we did over here. That geogrid that we speak about is a material you used after you compacted all materials you use for your base. You put that on top and that will sterilize. That was never used in the past in this airport so I can almost guarantee people that this municipal airstrip over here will go probably 15 years before any works is needed over here."
But it will be 15 years of increasing demand as tourism numbers continue to grow:
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism
"As Belize tourism industry continues its ground breaking rise with 2017 registering some 427 (thousand) visitors and the latest numbers for 2018 showing that tourism arrivals to Belize are on the steady upward trend, the need to continue to modernize Belize's transport sector to accommodate our people and visitors is an overriding priority."
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