2 weeks ago
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Punta Gorda is set to lose its only scheduled airline service. Tropic Air announced today that it will close its station there on November 1, saying it can no longer afford to keep the route operating at a loss. The airline says it continued serving Punta Gorda for years despite sustained financial losses because it understood how important the connection was to Toledo. Rising costs, however, and uncertainty over proposed changes to Belize’s domestic aviation infrastructure have now led it to pull out. Chief Executive Officer Max Greif says the company can no longer absorb losses it had previously accepted to maintain the service. Staff in Punta Gorda were informed yesterday. An internal memorandum says Tropic Air will offer relocation or reassignment within the company wherever possible. Passengers with bookings affected by the closure are being asked to contact customer care for rebooking or refunds. In Toledo, the concern goes well beyond getting tourists to and from the district. The Belize Tourism Industry Association’s Toledo Chapter says businesses and residents also depend on the flights to move produce, documents and other time-sensitive goods. Banks, medical laboratories, suppliers, farmers and NGOs are among those it says could be affected. The chapter has called an emergency stakeholder meeting for tomorrow morning at nine at the PG Welcome Center. In a letter to the Toledo Chamber of Commerce, Chair Robert Pennell and Secretary Joanna Audinett said discussions need to begin immediately on the impact and possible alternatives. The People’s National Party is also calling for government intervention. It blames fuel taxes and the ten-dollar rider user fee for putting pressure on domestic air travel. The party wants the fee removed, fuel taxes reduced and the Ministry of Tourism to help secure another airline if Tropic Air leaves. For now, Tropic Air’s closure date remains November 1, leaving Toledo with about a month to find an alternative to the scheduled service.
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