John Greif Municipal Airport Gets a Much-needed Facelift

San Pedro’s John Greif II Municipal Airport has just completed a major runway upgrade, marking a significant milestone for Belize’s aviation sector. Funded by the Belize Airports Authority, the project includes new thermoplastic markings, modern LED runway lights, and enhanced taxiway lights. These improvements aim to boost safety and efficiency, ensuring a smoother experience for both pilots and passengers. This upgrade is expected to support the growing tourism industry and strengthen the local economy.  Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the following story.

 

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The John Greif Municipal Airport in San Pedro has undergone a major facelift, with a newly upgraded runway now ready for action. Improved aerodrome facilities such as this can attract more airlines and passengers, boosting tourism and business travel. This, in turn, stimulates the local economy. On Wednesday, several government officials, including the Minister of Civil Aviation, Andre Perez, gathered for an inauguration ceremony.

 

Andre Perez, Minister of Civil Aviation

“This rehabilitation project which consisted of the resurfacing of the runway and the introduction of a taxiway to allow for smoother flow of traffic is an important and timely gift to the people of Ambergris Caye.  As we continue to enjoy this distinction of being the number one tourist destination in our country, it is an honor that comes with an important responsibility to ensure the safety of our visitors.”

 

Upgrading an aerodrome is a strategic investment that enhances safety, efficiency, and economic benefits while supporting sustainable practices.

 

Chris Sosa, C.E.O., Maya Island Air

“As you all know, San Pedro remains one of the nation’s foremost tourism destinations.  According to statistics from the BTB and the BAA, in 2024, the island possessed some three thousand, four hundred rooms for rent, received nearly twenty thousand flights and hosted two hundred thousand ticketed air travelers.  Not only is La Isla Bonita a major center for investment but also for civil aviation.  The national airline careers that are so much a part of San Pedrano culture have contributed to this investment with terminals.”

 

Updating the airport keeps it in line with global aviation rules, which is crucial for keeping its licenses and certifications. Realizing this, the Belize Airports Authority devised a strategy to improve several facilities across the country.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“They came up with a plan, a plan on how we’re going to upgrade all of these [aerodromes] because we were already foreseeing that the traffic that was coming in was increasing by leaps and bounds, and the more flights we have the more risk we take if we don’t put the proper investments in these runways.”

 

The upgrade also boosts the airport’s capacity, letting it handle more flights and passengers. This means less congestion and fewer delays, making air travel smoother and more enjoyable for everyone.

 

Maximiliano Greif

“We have also made investments in maintenance facilities.  If you look around the aerodrome, you will see a testament to that investment.  We also are operating a combined fleet of some twenty-six aircrafts, providing hundreds of jobs across all technical levels within the community and also across Belize.”

 

Upgrading the airport can involve adding eco-friendly technologies and practices, which helps cut down its carbon footprint. Modernizing runways, taxiways, and other infrastructure boosts safety for aircraft operations, lowering the chances of accidents and incidents.

 

Andre Perez

“These improvements that have been funded by the Belize Airports Authority with the support of the Ministry of Infrastructure is a testament to our commitment to improving air travel and safety in Belize. The improvement of this and a number of other aerodromes across this nation form a part of the realization of our Plan Belize commitment to growing our aviation industry and ensure takeoffs and landings safely.”

 

Isani Cayetano for News Five.