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Following the incident, Tropic Air, the PGIA, and the Belize Airport Authority all issued separate press releases.
Tropic Air's statement called the hijacking an "in-flight emergency." They then said, quote, "In the face of incomprehensible pressure, our pilot acted with extraordinary courage and calm, guiding the aircraft to a safe landing. His actions were nothing short of heroic." End quote. They added that their pilots are trained to respond to any situation that may arise. They also stated that their are offering support to the passengers who were injured.
PGIA's release stated that they received information about the hijacking around 8:30, and that the flight had 14 passengers and 2 crew members. Their aircraft landed after 10 on their runway, after which the injured persons were flown to the hospital. Other passengers remained to be questioned to confirm details of the incident.
The BAA release states, quote, "While investigations are ongoing, the BAA would like to reassure the traveling public and stakeholders that safety and security remain top priorities at the BAA's municipal airstrips across Belize. The BAA also wishes to inform the public that comprehensive plans to implement enhanced security protocols such as passenger bag checks and the installation of scanning equipment have been in effect since January 2025. These initiatives are not a direct response to the recent event, but rather part of a proactive and long-term strategy to elevate safety standards across the aerodromes." End quote. The BAA added that they are actively working to roll out these new measures in phases and implementation is expected to begin in the next few weeks.
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