Tropic Air to End Flights to Punta Gorda
Toledo is losing its only scheduled air link. Tropic Air announced today it will end scheduled flights to Punta Gorda on 1 November, after more than two decades of service.
“Our Punta Gorda team was informed in person yesterday,” Tropic Air said in its official statement. “This was not an easy decision. Tropic has proudly served Punta Gorda for many years, including an extended period as the only airline providing scheduled service to the community. We continued operating despite considerable and sustained financial losses.”
“Given the current business climate, rising costs and increasing regulatory and operational burdens, continuing to absorb these losses is no longer something the company can responsibly sustain,” Tropic Air added.
The decision has triggered calls for the Government and stakeholders to step in.
The Belize Tourism Industry Association’s (BTIA) Toledo Chapter has called an emergency meeting for 9 am on Thursday at the PG Welcome Center.
In a letter to the Toledo Chamber of Commerce, BTIA Toledo said the pull-out reaches far beyond visitors. “While tourism will undoubtedly be affected, this is not simply a tourism issue. It is an issue of economic connectivity for the entire Toledo District,” it said.
The association listed banks, insurance companies, medical laboratories, suppliers, agricultural businesses and NGOs among those that rely on moving people, cargo and time-sensitive goods by air.
“BTIA Toledo will not stand silent on this matter,” BTIA Toledo added.
Meanwhile, Leader of the People’s National Party and Punta Gorda resident Wil Maheia called the news devastating. Maheia says he suspects the reason behind the decision is a recently implemented $10 fee.
Cabinet approved the BZ$10 aviation security fee on 5 August. Passengers departing from municipal airports pay it. Cabinet’s approval was on the basis that the money will help fund more sophisticated screening and other necessary upgrades to airport security.
Maheia says high fuel costs compound the problem, and is calling on the Government to give airlines serving Toledo the same duty-free fuel that cane farmers in the north receive.
“This really is like a big blow to the Toledo District,” he said.