Maya Island Air Restores Flights to Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda is connected by air once again, bringing relief to residents and businesses after Tropic Air’s sudden withdrawal created uncertainty across the south. Maya Island Air restored the route on Sunday with support from the government, but questions remain about whether officials first tried to keep Tropic Air flying. Today, Toledo East Area Representative Dr. Osmond Martinez addressed that concern.
Osmond Martinez
Dr. Osmond Martinez, Area Representative, Toledo East
“I met with the CEO for an hour. I first started by saying thank you because it’s not easy for any private sector to lose tens of thousands of dollars or tens of hundreds of thousands of dollars as the CEO of Tropic has said it. But they did it because they believe in the responsibility that they have in keeping Punta Gorda connected. So I went there, and I spoke with him. And my first questions to him was: What can the government do so we can continue flying into Punta Gorda? And he was very eloquent, very kind in explaining the amount of losses that they have had, and he felt that at that moment there was no, uh, nothing that could have been done. Okay? We concluded the meeting after an hour, a very respectful meeting between both of us. I believe that was my first time talking to him, and I believe it’s his first time talking to me. And we ended the meeting, talking very well. I assured him one thing. I said, “You know, don’t worry. I will always protect Tropic’s credibility, and I understand that we cannot continue to merge.” I further stated to him, and I said, “I want your no objection though,” and please pay, pay key attention to what I say. “I want your no objection so that I can go and meet with Maya Islander.” And he said to me, “Please go ahead. I wish you well. If it works, then that is very good.” As I left that meeting, I called the CEO of Maya Islander, and I said, “You know, if you’re available, I am on a flight from San Pedro to Belize City. If you’re available, I would love to sit down-” Um, he said to me, “Yes, I am here. Let’s meet.”
Flights are back in Punta Gorda, but the Toledo First Movement wants a lasting, fair solution. Osmond Martinez says a World Bank-backed tourism strategy will soon go before stakeholders.
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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