“This is a good day for Maya Island Air, a good day for tourism, and a good day for Belize” – were the words of Prime Minister Dean Barrow as he gave the main address at the launch of Maya Island Air’s new regional service.
The airline soared to new heights on Wednesday morning, offering daily direct flights to Guatemala City and Mexico. PM Dean Barrow told the audience of Government Ministers, Area Representatives, visiting dignitaries from Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, who had congregated on the tarmac of the Phillip Goldson International Airport that today was a “red letter day”. He applauded Maya Island Air’s Executive Director Eugene Zabaneh for his vision, noting that while there were ups and downs, “two pride things remained constant: his pride and all out investment in what he was doing and his determination to succeed.” For Prime Minister Barrow, “It could not have come at a better time. He says he hopes the new regional service will help the tourism industry which for him “is the star to which we have hitched the wagon”. But because of the global financial crisis, Belize’s tourism industry has taken a serious hit. While there has been an increase in arrivals on cruise ships, PM Barrow checked the numbers yesterday and found that, “for the first six months of this year, we’ve taken an extremely serious hit in the stay over. Thus, it is precisely where it is most necessary that this venture being launched today will help.”
PM Barrow anticipates that the regional connection with Latin America will attract European tourists and described the possibilities as “wonderfully exciting”. Barrow committed that government will work closely with Maya Air Regional to facilitate their expansion. He says proof was yesterday in Cabinet where they approved a package of fiscal incentives for Maya Island Air.
The airline acquired three – ATR S72 – which have been described as economical and safe. The airline also has daily flights scheduled for Honduras but those have been put on hold because of the country’s unrest.
Also present at this morning’s launch were Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. and his CEO Mike Singh, Minister of Transport and Emergency Management Hon. Melvin Hulse, and Minister of Works Hon. Anthony Boots Martinez.
