Belize City- Last week Air Canada executed their first non-stop flight service to Belize on Friday, making it the second major Canadian Airline (after WestJet) to offer a direct weekly flight service to Belize from Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada.
To mark the occasion, an official inaugural ceremony was held at the Departure Lounge of the Philip Goldson International Airport.
In his main address, Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, hailed the new flight as “an exciting day for Belize, as we welcome Air Canada, as our newest member of Team Belize.”
“Through this new partnership, Canadians and other international travelers, alike, will have ample opportunity to conveniently access one of the fastest growing tropical destinations in the world. Whether it be our unique and breathtaking natural attractions, our diversified culture and traditions, Belize provides a perfect getaway ambiance filled with adventure, fun and curiosity,” Minister Heredia said.
“This partnership is also no coincidence. It also is no coincidence that Belize is quickly becoming a popular destination for Canadian outbound travelers. Canada and Belize have a long history of bilateral cooperation and as members of the Commonwealth both countries share historical traditions, systems of government and some may argue even some cultural ties. The importance of the Canadian market for Belize can certainly not be overstated. Canada continues to maintain its status as the second largest tourism market for Belize after the United States,” the Minister stressed.
Other speakers included Mr. Jorge Espat, C.E.O. of the Belize Airport Concession Company (BACC), Mr. Lynn Young, Honorary Consul of Canada to Belize and Ms. Reina Nieto, Air Canada’s Regional Manager.
The ceremony also included a cutting of the symbolic ribbon, a water canon salute upon the aircraft’s arrival and give-aways to arriving passengers, courtesy of BTB.
According to the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), the new Air Canada flight is a resounding reassertion that Belize continues to be a growing and attractive destination in Central America and the Caribbean.