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Belize City is served by the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, located in the village of Ladyville, approximately nine to ten miles from Belize City. The airport is the primary international airport of Belize and is often simply referred to as Belize Airport. It is the largest and busiest airport in the country, currently the fifth busiest airport in Central America, and has one runway and one arrival and departure terminal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport |
| IATA Code | BZE |
| ICAO Code | MZBZ |
| Location | Ladyville |
| Distance from Belize City | 9-10 miles |
| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) |
| Primary Function | Handles all international flights to Belize |
| Runway Length | 9,700 ft |
| Airlines | American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta, TACA, Southwest Airlines, United, U.S. Airways, Tropic Air, Maya Island Air, Maya Airways, British West Indian Airways, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Avianca Honduras, Air Florida, Servicio Aereo de Honduras, British Aircraft Corporation, Transportes Aereos Nacionales |
| Destinations | Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, New York City, Miami, Cancun, Flores, Mexico, San Salvador, Panama City, London, Kingston, New Orleans, San Pedro Sula, Guatemala City, Tegucigalpa, Managua, San Jose, Montego Bay, Nassau, Bahamas, Toronto, Calgary, Roatan, Merida |
| Facilities | Rental car services, ATM, overnight parking |
| Travel Requirements | Passport, visa (if applicable), notarized travel authorization letter for children travelling without parents |
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What You'll Learn
Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport
The airport has direct connections to the United States (Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, and Miami) and Canada (Toronto and Calgary), as well as several cities in Central America (El Salvador, San Salvador, Panama City, Panama, Flores, Guatemala, San Pedro Sula, Guatemala, Cancun, Mexico, Merida, Mexico, and Guatemala City, Guatemala, and Roatan, Honduras).
In the 1970s and 1980s, several airlines operated jet services into the airport, including Air Florida, Servicio Aereo de Honduras (SAHSA), and TACA Airlines International. Local air carrier Maya Airways also operated domestic services within Belize. In 1984, a senior US Air Force General stated that it was "the best-defended airfield in Central America", and it has hosted several military units over the years due to the Belizean–Guatemalan territorial dispute.
The airport has recently undergone a $60 million Airport Improvements Project, which includes infrastructure expansion, a new Eastern Taxiway, a new car park facility, personnel training, new services, and equipment upgrades.
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Belize's busiest airport
The airport is named after politician Philip S. W. Goldson, who died in 2001. It is located at an elevation of 5 m (16 ft), which puts it at risk of serious flooding due to its low elevation and coastal location. Despite this, the airport remains the largest and busiest in the country, with stable passenger growth. In fact, it is currently the fifth busiest airport in Central America.
A variety of airlines operate out of Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet, and local airlines Tropic Air and Maya Island Air. The airport offers direct connections to several cities in the United States, Canada, and Central America.
In mid-2020, a new paved access road was completed, providing easier access to the airport from the George Price Highway, eight kilometres north, across the Belize River.
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Airport transport options
Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, often simply referred to as Belize Airport, is located in the village of Ladyville, approximately nine miles from Belize City. It is about a 30-minute drive from the centre of Belize City.
From Philip Goldson Airport, there are several transport options to get to your destination. You can book a shuttle service to get to your hotel or accommodation within Belize City or to one of the water taxi terminals if you're headed to the Cayes off the coast. Shuttle services are also available to other areas of the country, such as Belmopan, Corozal, Orange Walk, and Placencia/Hopkins. These shuttle services can be booked in advance, and some offer private or shared van options with air-conditioning and complimentary bottled water.
You can also opt for a taxi or cab service, but it is recommended to avoid waiting in long lines at the airport by booking a shuttle instead. Additionally, there is a public bus service available, which can be useful if you need to get to Placencia early in the morning.
If you are staying in San Ignacio, you can book a shared or private arrival transfer shuttle that will pick you up from the airport and drop you off at your hotel. This option provides a scenic drive along the Western Highway and offers the opportunity to add optional stops at the Belize Zoo or Caves Branch.
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International arrival process
All international flights to Belize land at the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), which is located in Ladyville, about 9-10 miles from Belize City. The airport is easy to navigate, with just one terminal and one runway.
Upon arrival, you will be guided to the terminal by the ground crew. Ensure that you have your passport and travel documents ready for the immigration process. CARICOM citizens who are Secretariat Members can travel on special travel documents, and there is a separate line for other CARICOM citizens. Visitors from North America do not require a visa and should use the left lines.
After passing through immigration, you will proceed to Baggage Claim. Two carousels serve all flights, so it may be a lengthy process. If you don't see your bag, you can browse the duty-free shops while you wait.
Once you have collected your luggage, you will go through customs. If you have nothing to declare, you can join a faster-moving line. Otherwise, customs inspectors will examine your luggage. Overall, the entire process of deplaning can take up to an hour, so allocate enough time if you have a connecting flight or other travel arrangements.
The Belize Customs Department conducts inspections of incoming passengers' luggage and collects any applicable taxes and import duties. Passengers over 18 years old must complete their own Declaration Form. One form may be filled out for family members travelling together if the children are under 18.
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Airport facilities
Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (IATA: BZE, ICAO: MZBZ) is the airport that serves Belize City, the largest city in Belize, along the eastern coast of Central America. The airport is located in the village of Ladyville, approximately nine miles from Belize City. It is the largest and busiest airport in Belize, covering 457 acres (185 ha) of land and featuring a long runway measuring 9,700 feet, capable of accommodating full-size aircraft. The airport is about a 30-minute drive from the centre of Belize City.
In terms of facilities, the airport has a simple setup, with deplaning done via a stairway onto the tarmac, as there are no jetway bridges. The airport has an arrivals terminal, where passengers can find transportation options such as airport taxis, shuttle services, and rental car services. There is also a departures terminal, with check-in counters and immigration screening for exiting the country. An ATM is available at the airport, dispensing American currency, as the departure tax of $56 for non-residents must be paid in cash and in American currency.
Several airlines operate at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, offering both international and domestic flights. Internationally, the airport has direct connections to cities in the United States, Canada, and Central America. Domestic flights also operate from this airport, although some depart from the Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport in Belize City, also known as the Belize Municipal Airport.
The airport has a military presence, with Price Barracks, a military installation located just north of the airport, formerly known as Airport Camp, which served as the headquarters of British Forces Belize.
The airport has a rich history, with various airlines operating flights to and from Belize over the years. In the 1950s, TACA Airlines (now Avianca Honduras) offered weekly nonstop flights to New Orleans and San Salvador, as well as direct one-stop service to Managua with Douglas DC-4 propliners. British West Indian Airways (now Caribbean Airlines) and British Overseas Airways Corporation (now British Airways) operated flights to Belize from Kingston, Jamaica, with connections to London, New York City, and other cities. By 1983, four airlines were providing jet service to the airport, including Air Florida, Servicio Aereo de Honduras, and TACA Airlines International.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport in Belize City is called the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport.
The airport is located about 9-10 miles from Belize City, in the village of Ladyville. It takes approximately 30 minutes to drive to Belize City from the airport.
Locals are required to pay a departure tax of 35 Belizean dollars and non-Belizeans must pay 37.50 US dollars or 35 US dollars.
