New Spirit Route Brings Belize Closer to South Florida

Here’s some good news for Belize’s tourism industry. Spirit Airlines has officially touched down, and this flight represents a major milestone. The inaugural nonstop service from Fort Lauderdale landed at Philip Goldson International Airport earlier today, greeted with plenty of excitement. Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler calls it a significant boost for the industry, giving Belizeans affordable access to South Florida and opening the door for more visitors, more business, and more growth. With fares starting at less than a hundred dollars one-way and flights three times a week, this new route is set to shake up travel options and boost Belize’s tourism profile. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the following story.

 

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Spirit Airlines officially landed in Belize earlier today, and it’s taking air travel to new heights. The inaugural nonstop flight from Fort Lauderdale touched down at Philip Goldson International Airport, greeted by Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Katharine Beamer with plenty of excitement.

 

Katharine Beamer, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires

“Well, we are delighted to welcome Spirit Airlines to Belize. I wanted to congratulate the Government of Belize, specifically Minister Mahler and the Belize Tourism Board on this achievement. We’re delighted to have more connections between the United States and Belize. I understand that this airline will be offering nonstop service to Fort Lauderdale three times a week and we’re just very excited to bring more Belizeans to the United States for tourism and shopping, and more Americans to Belize to enjoy this beautiful country. We’re also really just dedicated to growing and deepening the partnerships between Belizeans and Americans alike.”

 

 

Spirit is bringing three flights a week, Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with introductory fares starting at just eighty-five dollars one-way. That’s right, affordable access to South Florida is now a reality. Minister Mahler says this new route is a big win for Belize, breaking up the old airfare monopoly and giving travelers more options. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend shopping spree, visiting family, or exploring business opportunities, this connection opens the door wide.

 

 

 

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism

“Airlift into Belize is the lifeblood of the tourism industry, akin to hotel development and the more capacity we add in terms of our air outs into the country, the more people will come in. Our job now is to ensure that we work closely with Spirit Airlines to ensure that these flights are filled.”

 

 

 

 

The arrival of Spirit Airlines stands as a key moment for the Ministry of Tourism. Since taking office in late 2020, Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler and his team have been on a mission to put Belize on the map as a top travel destination. And today, that hard work is paying off. This new route signals confidence in Belize’s tourism potential and opens the door to more visitors, more business, and more growth.

 

 

 

 

Anthony Mahler

“This is our twenty-third city, which is important for us, adding a diversity in the product offering as well, and the people coming into Belize. But these things often times take a long, long time. Sometimes it may take a shorter time but you have to continue knocking on doors, you have to continue the dialogue, continue to show your business case why Belize, as a leisure destination would be an important fit for an airline like Spirit. Spirit Airline is considered an ultra-low-cost carrier, so what it does for us is keep the legacy carriers honest in terms of pricing. And so, it makes it more affordable for people to come to Belize.”

 

 

The timing of this inaugural flight is interesting; it comes as Belize’s tourism sector faces a noticeable slowdown. Visitor arrivals have dipped compared to last year, and the industry is feeling the pinch. To address this, the Ministry of Tourism and the Belize Tourism Board will hold a press briefing next week. They’ll break down the numbers on overnight stays and cruise arrivals, share updates on airlift developments, review key initiatives and their impact, and outline what’s next for the remainder of the year. Isani Cayetano for News Five.