Tropic Air Exit: Is Government Ready to Step In for Toledo? 

Toledo is scrambling to keep its only air link to the rest of Belize. Would the Government consider financially supporting Tropic Air’s Punta Gorda service before the airline pulls out on November 1? That’s the question many residents are asking the Toledo East Area Representative Dr Osmond Martinez. 

The proposal emerged Thursday during an emergency stakeholder meeting in Punta Gorda, called after Tropic Air announced on Wednesday that its station would close because the route is no longer commercially viable. 

The airline says it has operated the service at sustained losses and can no longer absorb them.

The meeting brought together tourism stakeholders, businesses and residents concerned about what happens when the flights stop. Toledo Chapter Chair of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), Robert Pennell, says keeping the route alive is not as simple as asking Tropic Air to continue operating at a loss. 

“It’s not a charity organisation, and I think we have to keep that in perspective,” Pennell said. He also pointed to uncertainty surrounding planned work on the Punta Gorda runway. “I know they said they would fix it, but me and Tropic haven’t gotten any formal word that that’s gonna happen,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Martinez says one option now being considered is direct Government support. .

“One of the first items that we’re planning to look at is the deficit, the financial fiscal deficit,” Martinez said. “I don’t have the full authority to commit to that, I want to be clear, I would have to speak with the Cabinet and propose to the Cabinet that the government should buy x amount of seats on an annual basis or a monthly basis so as to balance out their financial situation. 

Martinez also rejected claims that taxes drove the airline out. He said, “There are no taxes so it’s hard to remove taxes.” 

Martinez added that the Government is already providing fuel subsidies, including bus operators and canefarmers in the north of Belize. He warned that fuel contributes about 20% of government revenue and that subsidies are already costing the state millions. 

A meeting between Martinez and Tropic Air’s CEO is pending.