Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport
Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (IATA: BZE, ICAO: MZBZ) is an airport that serves the nation of Belize's largest city, Belize City along the eastern coast of Central America. It was named after politician Philip S. W. Goldson, who died in 2001. Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport is about 30 minutes drive from Belize City's centre, in Ladyville. The airport is at an elevation of 5 m (16 ft) and this means both the airport and the entirety of Belize City are at risk of serious flooding due to its low elevation and coastal location. For this reason, Belize's capital has been moved to Belmopan, but it remains the largest and busiest in the country. With stable passenger growth, Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport is currently the seventh busiest airport in Central America.
Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport | |||||||||||
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Summary | |||||||||||
Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
Serves | Belize City | ||||||||||
Location | Ladyville | ||||||||||
Hub for | |||||||||||
Elevation AMSL | 5 m / 16 ft | ||||||||||
Coordinates | 17°32′21″N 088°18′30″W | ||||||||||
Website | http://www.pgiabelize.com/ | ||||||||||
Map | |||||||||||
MZBZ Location in Belize | |||||||||||
Runways | |||||||||||
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Statistics (2016) | |||||||||||
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Source: Passenger and aircraft movement statistics from PGIA airport.[1] |
History
Originally known as Belize International Airport, the airport was renamed in honor of Philip S. W. Goldson on February 7, 1988.[2]
Military use
Due to the Belizean–Guatemalan territorial dispute, Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport has hosted several military units over the years since its construction. In 1984, a senior US Air Force General stated that it was "the best defended airfield in Central America".[3] Most notable residents have been Headquarters British Forces Belize, No. 1417 (Tactical Ground Attack) Flight RAF operating Harrier Jump Jets, No. 1563 (Helicopter support) Flight RAF, resident Anti-Aircraft Squadrons of the RAF Regiment, resident helicopter units of the Army Air Corps, HarDet Belize, Butcher Radar and Belize Defence Forces, among others. Price Barracks is a military installation located just north of the airport, which was formerly known as Airport Camp, the Headquarters of British Forces Belize.
Airlines and destinations
Passenger
Airlines | Destinations |
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Air Canada Rouge | Seasonal: Toronto–Pearson |
American Airlines | Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami Seasonal: Charlotte |
Avianca El Salvador | San Salvador |
Copa Airlines | Panama City–Tocumen |
Delta Air Lines | Atlanta |
Maya Island Air | Cancún, Caye Caulker, Caye Chapel, Corozal, Dangriga, Placencia, Punta Gorda, San Pedro, San Pedro Sula |
Southwest Airlines | Fort Lauderdale, Houston–Hobby Seasonal: Denver |
Sun Country Airlines | Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul[4] |
Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos | Cancún, Flores, Guatemala City |
Tropic Air | Belize City–Municipal, Cancún, Caye Caulker, Chetumal, Corozal, Dangriga, Flores, Mérida, Placencia, Punta Gorda, Roatán, San Ignacio, San Pedro, San Pedro Sula |
United Airlines | Chicago–O'Hare, Houston–Intercontinental Seasonal: Newark |
WestJet | Seasonal: Calgary, Toronto–Pearson |
Cargo
Airlines | Destinations |
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Amerijet International | Cancun, Ciudad del Carmen, Mérida, Miami |
Future plans
Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport will have integrated access with proposed Belize City Light Rail.
References
- "Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport - About us". Belize Airport Concession Company Limited. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
- "Airport Gets New Name; Ground Broken for New Terminal Building". Belize Today. Belize Information Service. February 1988.
- "Belize". Armed Forces: 182. 1984. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- https://www.eturbonews.com/232175/sun-country-airlines-nonstop-to-belize-and-st-kitts-nevis
External links
Media related to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport at Wikimedia Commons - Official website