Belize City- The Belize Airports Authority (BAA), the local body responsible for the security, maintenance and expansion of municipal and international airports in Belize, said to be pleased with the progress made with the renovation of the Caye Caulker Municipal Airport. Completion of the project is projected for for mid-June of this year.
According to BAA, substantial work has already been done to the airstrip with the focus being the expansion of the runway’s shoulders and the laying of thousands of yards of geogrid to provide greater earth stability. Over 10,000 cubic yards of filling in material has also been amassed in the area. Greater work is expected in the coming weeks, speeding up the project even further. Following work on the airstrip shoulders will be the actual preparation of the runway for the installation of hot mix.
“Construction is presently underway on our airport and we are certainly looking forward to its completion. It is much needed and will be beneficial for everyone especially for emergency purposes and will also help to boost up our tourism industry,” said Enelda Rosado, Chairlady of the Caye Caye Village Council, who herself visited the project recently with representatives of the BAA.
“This project is extremely important because Caye Caulker is the second most visited destination in the country by international tourists. Caye Caulker has tremendous tourism potential and there is great development occurring on the island already. Therefore, this new state of the art municipal airport will be able to accommodate our tourists on time, in a safe and beautiful environment,” said Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Area Representative for Caye Caulker.
The project is being partially financed by the BAA through a loan and will result in a state of the art municipal airport for the village of Caye Caulker.
Other works will include the enhancement, marking and installation of runway lights to allow for airplane landings at night as well as other security and safety features.
In 2016, the Belize Airports Authority engaged consultants to conduct feasibility studies for the repairs of the municipal airport in Caye Caulker. Based on the results of the study, the BAA subsequently took the decision to reconstruct the facility in line with the long-term vision of the Authority.