This topic is to facilitate discussion about how San Pedro's airstrip can get gov approval to receive direct international flights.

NOT AIRLINERS.

I'm talking about planes in the size range that cuurently arrive daily being able to fly direct to the island and clear customs there instead of having to fly to BZE then to the island.

Example: Cancun direct San Pedro.

I'm looking for input as to how to go about accomplishing this goal not critique of this idea.

Thanks
Thomas Blackledge
tommy@tecinfo.com
601-849-1918 US

I would be opposed. We have enough growth issues without adding that. I also would like to see a study of the impact of jet fuel on the ecosystem of the reef before even considering.

Thank you Pam for your input. But again this is not a thread for critique or opposition. Those opposed please start a different thread of opposition.

I would like this to be a positive thread instead of the usual bickering about growth.

Thanks for your consideration.

The jet fuel storage (or lack thereof) is one of the main reasons why international flights are not received on the island. Also there is no available hanger space. The length of the runway is quite prohibitive. We don't have a control tower. The cross winds are tricky most of the year. The list does go on.

But if you want to make a plea then you should direct it to the Minister of Civil Aviation - Manuel Heredia Jr.

You need neither jet fuel storage nor hanger space to accept international arrivals from Cancun. The planes can be kept in Cancun overnight and have a morning and evening round trip to San Pedro.

Honestly, the flights probably wouldn't need to be much bigger than the puddle jumpers making the trip now to be profitable. Hense, I don't believe the cross winds would be any more of an issue than they are now.

Would be very well received I think.

Are small commercial aircraft allowed to take off with a tail wind like the domestic airlines do here in Belize? Is the rule about the elementary school at the end of the airstrip (thus taking off with a tailwind) an urban legend or does it hold merit?

SIN

Personally I would love to fly direct to Cancun/Playa.

Tom - A good start might be some educated dialogue with Steve Schulte (Tropic Air, CEO I believe is his title).
He is also the new San Pedro Chamber of Commerce VP and is in the process of working towards a new Tropic Air terminal in SP. Nice guy and might be able to discuss this matter with you privately.
Just a thought. (No opinion) His e-mail is: steve@tropicair.com
Pam

Tom, interesting idea! If you do have a "private" conversation, please keep us posted!

The airstrip won't handle many more flights without being upgraded.
The Mexican Government has made flights between Belize and Mexico "difficult".
The drug traffic is easier to keep an eye on with all arriving aircraft coming in to Goldson Intl. The King Air on Northern Highway is an example of ATC keeping an eye on things.
You can land some bigger aircraft but there is no where to park and little turn around room. Our twin otter impacts operations by adding 8 or 9 take offs during high season and parking it by the east fence.
The last time we flew over Basil Jones airstrip it was very overgrown. Someone should make it into a viable airstrip.