AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Travel USA requires additional security measures at airport

Air Travellers departing the Phillip S.W. International Airport en route to destinations in the United States of America are advised that effective Wednesday, July 19, 2017, in compliance with US security requirements, additional security measures will be implemented on outbound passengers flying from Belize to the U.S.

Travellers are advised to check with their air carrier and be at the Airport at least 2 hours prior to departure to avoid delays or possible missed flights.

Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation

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Travellers, Expect Security Delays

Travelers beware! The Department of Civil Aviation says that starting wednesday there will be increased security checks at the Phillip Golden International. A statement from that agency warns passengers, quote, "effective Wednesday, July 19, 2017, in compliance with US security requirements, additional security measures will be implemented on outbound passengers flying from Belize to the U.S. Travellers are advised to check with their air carrier and be at the Airport at least 2 hours prior to departure to avoid delays or possible missed flights." End quote.

As far as we understand it, the additional screening will be mostly on electronic items like laptops or other portable electronics stored in carry on bags. The airport isn't expecting major delays, but processing through the boarding gates may take a little longer than usual.

And they warn that two hours is the standard arrival time for international departures - those who want to be on the super - safe side should be there three hours early.

Channel 7

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Increased security measures for US-bound travellers

Travellers flying from Belize to the United States via the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) will have to undergo increased security checks, following a new policy being implemented by the United States.

The increased security measures, put in place in the US government's continued push to fight terrorism, took effect on Wednesday, July 19. The increased security measures include: enhanced overall passenger screening; heightened screening of personal electronic devices; and increased security protocols around aircraft and in passenger areas.

The measures will also include the use of advanced technology, expanded canine screening and the establishment of additional pre-clearance locations, and "heightened security standards" for airports and aircraft.

As a part of the measures for screening of electronic devices, all electronic devices larger than a smartphone will have to be removed from protective casing and be fully charged for potential inspection. The US Department of Homeland Security announced the upgrades in security protocols late last month, saying that the measures will be required at around 280 airports worldwide.

"Terrorist groups continue to target passenger aircraft, and we have seen a 'spider web' of threats to commercial aviation as terrorists pursue new attack methods," the Department said.

US Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly said that the new standards were designed to "raise the global baseline of aviation security."

The Reporter

Tropic Air's web site says three hours.

https://www.tropicair.com/travel-info/check-in-policies/

Two hours has been the standard for years. This particular extra security measure imposed on us by the US seems entirely logical but I seem to always have a resentment when the US forces Belize to do something and especially when it's attached to an extortion type of threat. I hope old Uncle Sam hasn't any new rules for Belizeans that involve Latex Gloves.

I interpret this a little differently ...... like taking a connecting flight from SP or Placencia to International that is scheduled 3 hours prior to the International flight leaving.
In past, if I had an 11:40 International departure Tropic would recommend a 9 am flight. Now the probably recommend one at 8?

The procedures don't really take all that long for each individual, but when everybody shows up at once things get badly backed up.

It's not just Belize...http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/u-s-bound-travellers-to-face-enhanced-security-measures-at-all-canadian-airports-1.4211518

FYI, WestJet from Canada is 3 hours check in at PGIA, not 2 hours.

Well Jett's Bar and La Petite Cafe are going to do well as a result! Buy the way folks, one of the upstairs restaurants is very good. Cannot remember the name - but it's the one that has the outdoor "waving deck".

Yes, There was or maybe is some legit threats that terrorist are trying to take down a passenger plane throught something like laptop bombs, That is the reason there was a laptop ban on many airports around the world.

perhaps belize should forgo the 94million in remittances it received from the US last year.

Yes Because that costs you personally how much? Remitances are person to person, or businesses to businesses. Included in that sum are funds transferred back to Belize for vacation's and services the occur and all costs involved within Belize which for the convenience of the US traveler are paid within the US on credit/debit cards. much of the profits staying within the US. What that has to do with Airport security which is world wide I am at a loss to connect.
Had you connected it to the draconian rules the US puts on the Belize banking industry it would have made some sort of sense.