By Breaking Belize News Staff: Prime Minister John Briceño says the government has not made a final decision on the proposed construction of a new airport in northern Ambergris Caye, despite ongoing discussions and technical studies being undertaken with assistance from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
Speaking to reporters on Thursday in his capacity as Minister responsible for Civil Aviation, Briceño said discussions about expanding airport infrastructure on Ambergris Caye have been ongoing since 2020.
He explained that the existing San Pedro Municipal Airport faces significant physical limitations and cannot be expanded sufficiently to accommodate larger aircraft as tourism and air traffic continue to grow.
“The San Pedro Municipal Airport, as it is, cannot be expanded,” Briceño said.
The Prime Minister argued that the government must plan for the country’s long-term aviation requirements rather than focus exclusively on immediate needs.
He said the government has been consulting with domestic airlines about possible solutions, while the IDB has been conducting studies and developing proposals concerning the location and feasibility of a new airport.
Briceño emphasized that the process remains at the discussion stage and that no final determination has been made.
According to the Prime Minister, the IDB must complete its proposals before presenting them to him for consideration in his capacity as Minister of Civil Aviation and Finance.
He said any proposal would subsequently be discussed with the airlines and other relevant stakeholders before a decision is taken.
The proposed airport has generated growing attention amid reports that the government is considering relocating aviation operations from the existing municipal airport to a larger facility in northern Ambergris Caye.
According to reporting by the San Pedro Sun, the proposed development forms part of longer-term plans for Ambergris Caye, including improved aviation infrastructure capable of accommodating larger aircraft.
Briceño said the government would only proceed if the project was determined to be in the national interest, supported tourism development and met the country’s future aviation and safety requirements.
The post PM Briceño says no decision made on proposed new Ambergris Caye airport as IDB continues studies appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Prime Minister John Briceño says the government has not made a final decision on the proposed construction of a new airport in northern Ambergris Caye, despite ongoing discussions and technical studies being undertaken with assistance from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Speaking to reporters on Thursday in his capacity as
The post PM Briceño says no decision made on proposed new Ambergris Caye airport as IDB continues studies appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.