Tropic Air Says Punta Gorda Route Is Unsustainable

For Toledo, losing scheduled air service is not simply a travel inconvenience. It could disrupt tourism, business, cargo movement and access to essential services across the district. That concern brought tourism stakeholders, business owners, community leaders and residents together in Punta Gorda today for an emergency meeting. With Tropic Air preparing to discontinue flights on November first, the discussion focused on what comes next and whether another reliable transportation option can keep Toledo connected to the rest of the country. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Can Belize afford to keep Punta Gorda connected by air? Tropic Air says its southern route is losing money, with round-trip tickets currently costing nearly four hundred dollars. For about two hundred dollars more, one can fly to Miami and back.  The company points to poor performance and mounting aviation costs, but Toledo residents, businesses and tourism stakeholders are not giving up without a fight. They gathered for an emergency meeting this morning, where Station Manager Robert Pennell shed light on the financial pressures behind the decision.

 

Robert Pennell, Station Manager, Tropic Air

“Each of those cost six million dollars. We run them, fly, all over the country. Landing in Punta Gorda is not easy.. It takes stress on the plane because of the type of runway. I know they said they were gonna fix it, but we at Tropic have not gotten any formal word that that’s gonna happen. So that is the aviation uncertainty that I think you’re talking about.”

 

The aviation industry may be facing tough economic headwinds, but BTIA says Toledo should not be left disconnected. President Efren Perez expressed deep concern today over Tropic Air’s decision to end its Punta Gorda flights, despite acknowledging the financial challenges behind the move. It reads quote, “connectivity is essential to the economic life of our destinations. When a district loses an air service, the impact extends beyond visitor arrivals to the businesses, families and services that depend on reliable transport… this must prompt coordinated action by government, the BTB and local stakeholders to build greater awareness of Toledo, increase demand and support its long-term economic development.” Dennis Garbutt, owner of Garbutt’s Fishing Lodge in Punta Gorda, says that without any flights from Belize District, his business will likely go under.

 

Dennis Garbutt, Owner, Garbutt’s Fishing Lodge

“ Yes, we probably don’t have enough customers coming just from Dangriga, but the truth of the matter, without it, our business will completely die. You know, so we need to have that. I don’t think that my client is the type that will take that take a van or bus ride from Belize City to come to PG. So without the airline coming in, and I think Copal is literally in some of the same shoes that I am in.”

 

Stakeholders warned that the decision could disrupt vital healthcare services in southern Belize.

 

Dr. Jorge Sajia, Deputy Regional Health Manager, Sothern Region, Belize

“If Tropic or flights stop coming to Toledo, our services will be affected. That does not mean that the testing will stop. That means that we will incur an additional cost because if the cooler cannot go to Belize City, we will use a vehicle. Recently, we had measles cases. Those samples need to be shipped before a certain time. They cannot last more than twenty-four hours.”

 

The Belize Airport Authority says Tropic Air’s suspension is noted, but plans to upgrade the Punta Gorda airstrip and introduce a passenger security fee are still under discussion. The proposed fee would start at four dollars in June 2027 and gradually rise to ten dollars. Meanwhile, Toledo East Area Representative Dr. Osmond Martinez pledged to work with residents and businesses to keep Toledo’s economy moving.

 

Dr. Osmond Martinez, Area Representative. Toledo East

“You all have shown loyalty to Tropic but you are also are demanding social corporate responsibility. Such a strong firm and loving word but you also have put the onus on the government for not allowing them to let you down. That is something I’m walking away from here with and I will keep BTIA informed on every step.”

 

Residents also raised questions about the potential impact on the environment, should tour operators turn to fishing as a means of income.

 

Caroline Oliver, Representative, TIDE

“They’re going back to fishing. So we have to be talking about what the Ministry going to do right now. That is sustainable blue economy. So if doing that is going to be causing that, we’re not going to be supporting this in any way.”

 

Kamela Palma joined residents in pleading for help, urging Tropic Air not to abandon Punta Gorda.

 

Kamela Palma, Concerned Resident

“ I felt a visceral sickness, nausea, when I read that Tropic Air had decided in thirty days to stop, services to the Toledo District. And the first thing I thought of was, where is Tropic Air’s social corporate responsibility to the peoples of the Toledo District?”

 

Pennell says Punta Gorda has been overlooked for too long. As Chairman of the BTIA Toledo Chapter, he is urging the government and the Belize Tourism Board to promote PG with the same energy used to market Belize’s leading destinations.

 

Robert Pennell, Chair, BTIA Toledo Chapter

“They can’t put all the resources in those baskets, you need other emerging destinations.”

 

The Belize Airport Authority says discussions with Tropic Air are not over. It remains committed to working with the airline and other stakeholders to find a workable solution. But community leaders warn that time is running out. For them, keeping Punta Gorda connected by air is critical to Toledo’s economic survival. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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