Questions Raised as Maya Island Air Becomes Toledo’s Sole Airline

Questions continue to be raised over air service to Toledo as Maya Island Air prepares to become the only airline serving the route after Tropic Air ends its flights on October 31. The change has sparked criticism from some, who have questioned whether Maya Island Air received favourable treatment because of the company’s ownership ties to the family of Transport Minister Louis Zabaneh. Those concerns have grown as government worked to keep regular air service between Belize City and Punta Gorda after Tropic Air announced it would pull out of the route. The issue also comes after Toledo East Area Representative Osmond Martinez had said government would be reaching out to Tropic Air in an effort to keep the service operating. Today, Belize Tourism Board Director of Tourism Evan Tillett spoke about the importance of maintaining air access to southern Belize, saying reliable transportation remains critical for tourism, businesses, and residents in the district.

Evan Tillett, Director of Tourism: “Of course that’s a very positive thing. I think air connectivity is key to growing any destination, including internally. And so that’s obviously welcoming news that we will have connectivity in the South.”

Reporter: What are your thoughts on Tropic saying they may cut routes and flights ?

Evan Tillett, Director of Tourism:  “I don’t have all the details on that matter, but whenever you talk about cutting routes that creates some worry that if routes will be cut. But I think that Tropic operates as a private business and as a business you need to look at how you can remain fiscally healthy. But for tourism, we need all the connectivity that we can in order to continue growth in the destination.”

Prime Minister John Briceño, who also holds responsibility for Civil Aviation, addressed the concerns today. He said Maya Island Air will not receive a government subsidy to operate the route. Instead, the airline will only benefit from duty-free fuel, which he described as support available under the arrangement. The Prime Minister also rejected suggestions that the company’s ownership influenced government’s decision, saying those family connections had nothing to do with the negotiations or Cabinet’s consideration of the proposal.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “Well it came about because Tropic Air without any notice put an announcement that they’re going to stop the flights to Punta Gorda. Now on the surface of it, you can’t really be upset with the management of Tropic Air. They’ve been losing money. But the disappointment is that the management of Tropic Air never sat down with us to say, “Hey, I’m having these problems, and if we can’t find a way how we could address it. We will have to stop flights.” So it was sudden. We’re happy to announce that Maya Island Air has agreed to take on that route, so you can go online and start to buy tickets. The tourists that are visiting, they don’t have to worry, there’s going to be a flight going down south. It’s not a matter that we’re going to pay a subsidy, but what we’ve agreed that we’re going to be able to provide some duty free diesel.”

Briceño says government’s priority has been to ensure that Toledo does not lose regular air service, stressing that maintaining connectivity for residents, visitors, and businesses remains the main objective.