Should Private Flights Continue to be Allowed to Land at P.G.I.A.?

John Briceño

Civil Aviation earlier today issued a list of flights that landed at the P.G.I.A. during the month of July.  Fifty-six aircrafts landed, including repatriation flights on United Airlines, Tag, Moses International and Green Airways; cargo on Amerijet, Aero Ruta Maya and Tag.  A number of air ambulances for medical evacuation, technical flights and a single diplomatic flight are also recorded. Now, there are also four business flights, one originated from Missouri and another from Naples, Florida by the same aircraft.  One of these involves a well-known Belize City businessman.  The other two relate to Banco Atlantida (Atlantic Bank) for which the flight came from Houston and San Pedro Sula.  According to Civil Aviation, all the flights received due clearance by the relevant authorities.  The issue of private flights was raised by the Prime Minister during a press conference last week; he and the Minister of Tourism, Manuel Heredia Junior, have both since admitted there were no flights relating to investment in San Pedro.  Today, the Leader of the Opposition, John Briceño was asked about the situation regarding private flights since the P.G.I.A. is closed to commercial flights.  Briceño says he is in support once requirements are met.

John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition

“Well as long as they follow the safety protocol that the Ministry of H3alth that has been instituted then they should be allowed. One of them was that they should be quarantine and that they have to take the proper test to ensure that you do not have the virus. Once that is done I think anybody should be allowed to come in the country as we are doing right now with the repatriation, citizens coming back home.”