New Security Measures at the Municipal Airstrip

Belize’s municipal airstrips have ramped up security after Thursday’s Tropic Air hijacking scare. Thankfully, all passengers escaped unharmed, but the incident could have become tragic if the hijacker had been armed with deadlier weapons. News Five’s Britney Gordon caught up with a passenger at the Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airstrip to get the scoop on the new safety protocols.

 

Britney Gordon Reporting

It’s been nearly a week since the hijacking of a Tropic Air flight in Belizean skies. In response, the Belize Airports Authority has implemented new security measures. Lydia De Los Santos, a passenger flying to Placencia, shares her thoughts on the changes.

 

Britney Gordon

“So can you talk a little bit about the security measures that you have seen here at this in comparison to some of the other security measures that you’ve had on other planes?”

 

Lydia De Los Santos, Passenger

“I think it’s the same, just in a smaller scale. Because they still have the metal detectors. Your bag has to get checked.”

 

She explained that the new procedures are not complex and don’t take much time.

 

Lydia De Los Santos

“We got our boarding passes. We had a show passports, just like at a big air airport. And they checked our bags. And when we got to this particular one and they gave us our boarding pass here.”

 

Britney Gordon

“How many bags are you guys traveling with?”

 

Lydia De Los Santos

“Two.”

Britney Gordon

“And are you allowed to have a purse?”

 

Lydia De Los Santos

“It’s two luggage and a carry-on.”

 

Britney Gordon

“So you are allowed to keep your carry-on?”

 

Lydia De Los Santos

“Yes.”

 

Passengers can still bring a personal item, but now they must go through a metal detector scan.

 

Lydia De Los Santos

“They did the metal detector and they checked the bag, I don’t know if they went in the bag, but they checked the bag. So I don’t know if they went in it.”

 

De Los Santos is traveling with caution but feels reassured by the new security measures.

 

Britney Gordon

“Do you feel that this is sufficient enough for your safety?”

 

Lydia DeLos Santos

“Are we ever really safe? I live on a prayer, so I’m satisfied.”

 

Britney Gordon

“And it’s comparable to other airports, maybe just on a smaller scale?”

 

Lydia De Los Santos

“Smaller scale.”

 

Britney Gordon

“And is there any sort of maybe hesitation that you have given the recent news of what happened? Or do you feel that it’s been taken care of?”

Lydia De Los Santos

“I did see the news. My sister sent it to me right the day before I’m coming, so I’m like, again I trust Jesus. I do everything afraid because in this world, nothing is really safe anymore, but I trust that the Lord’s gonna keep me safe. So that’s it.”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five