Caye Caulker residents concerned on the delay of works at the island's airstrip

The management at the Belize Airport Authority overseeing the rehabilitation of the airport's runway informed The San Pedro Sun that the project is ongoing and that they expect to complete the works by mid-June of this year. A visit to the closed airstrip revealed that no construction work has been done on the airstrip and its surroundings. A series of deep holes were observed on the surface of the runway, while on its east end, piles of building material had been unloaded. According to the General Manager of BAA, Nicholas Ruiz, the process for the airport's refurbishment is an ongoing one and that even though people might think that nothing is happening, work is actually being done. "Most of the building material is being barged to the island from the mainland," said Ruiz. "There is a process and work is taking place." Ruiz indicated that he and his team will do a site inspection to find out more about the progress of the project.

Caye Caulker residents believe that the project is moving slow and the fact that they are struggling without an airport during the high tourism season is causing a dent to their businesses. A few concerned residents say that this tourism season is less profitable than previous ones since the tourism clientele has changed. They expressed their disappointment with the airstrip's renovations and many believe that officials have not made it a priority to have the airport up and running as soon as possible. The Chairwoman of the Caye Caulker Village Council Enelda Rosado said that they have been in touch with the BAA and will be making site inspections as well to monitor the progress of the works at the airport. Rosado acknowledges that some tourism stakeholders on the island are struggling with the issue and the situation of not having an airport is affecting everyone in one way or another.

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