Travel within Belize
 

I found the following statement on https://www.tripprep.com and was wondering if this was anything to be concerned about. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has assessed this country's civil aviation authority and determined that it does not provide safety oversight of its air carrier operators in accordance with the minimum safety oversight standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. We are planning on flying Travel Air from Belize City to Placencia. Thanks!

Just my opinion, The pilot is in the plane too. They are turbo-props holding about 20 passengers. The airport facilities outside of the capitol airport are rural and lack modern safety by our standards. No lights, but they don't fly after dark. Belize is a vey rural type of destination but I would go again anytime. I swear they are the friendliest people God put on this earth.

Nancy---am also having some concerns re air safety as well as crime. Coinsider a week in March with 2 kids/husband in Placencia---thinking a few days at the beach a maybe a few in the jungle---have you been before--any advice???

Lind, No I haven't been before but are going in a few weeks. I can get back to you and let you know. I just happened to be on that site and saw that statement. We were in Costa Rica two years ago and the conditions were just like Mike explains Belize are like. We were safe flying there. But when I looked up Costa Rica on the same site it said that the US FAA does provide safety oversight so it made me wonder. I am sure it will be fine but just wanted to see if anyone knew anything more.

During the dozen or so years I've been traveling around Belize and covering it for publications (including Fodor's) I have taken many dozens of flights on Maya Island Air and Tropic Air, the two small airlines in Belize, and have always found the flights safe, the pilots laid-back but competent and the equipment in good repair.<BR><BR>During this time I don't believe there has been a single serious accident involving any passengers, although one plane did crash with just a pilot a few years ago.<BR><BR>Pilots fly the few routes in Belize hundreds of times a year and know every mile of them in great detail. The airlines use very dependable equipment. Plus, you are flying at low speeds and at low altitude so if on the rare chance anything goes wrong there is a good chance the pilot could make a safe emergency landing on a road or in a field.<BR><BR>Relax and enjoy Belize!<BR><BR>--Lan Sluder

As usual, you can trust Lan for accurate and objective information. I've only been to Belize once but flew on both Mayan Air and Tropic Air when I was there. One flight was from BZE to Flores Guatemala in a four passenger single engine Cessna. The other flight was to the cayes in the 20 passenger turboprop. Both flights were smooth and comfortable. As he mentioned, the planes appeared to be fairly new and extremely well maintained. Although it's more costly than taking buses or ground shuttles, I encourage anyone visiting Belize to take at least one flight - it's an incredibly lush, green country and really a treat to view from the air.

Forgot to mention - I have never heard of Travel Air. Are they a private air charter company? I'd suggest sticking to Tropic or Mayan - they are the &quot;major&quot; carriers in the country and both are well established.

I just returned from Belize and flew three times with Tropic Air. We did the bus thing from SI to Dangriga. But to save valuable time, we flew to Caye Caulker and then back to the international airport. I would do it again in a second. (The bus trip from SI to Dangriga is just beautiful and a must if you've never been to Belize - in my opinion!) Enjoy Belize. The people are incredibly friendly. (and pack some immodium!)

In the interest of full disclosure, as it happens there was a crash of a Tropic Air plane a few days ago, coming in for a landing at San Pedro in a storm after dark (flights usually are day-time only but in season to accommodate all passengers extra flights are added, even if after dark.)<BR><BR>The flight was full, 14 passengers, and happily all were unhurt. The Caravan went into the water on the back side of the island, totally missing the runway, possibly due to a down draft. It's not yet clear whether pilot error was a factor, though some passengers reported in the media suggest it could have been. Investigation continues.<BR><BR>But this is a rare occurance. And again, no one was injured except for minor scrapes.<BR><BR>--Lan Sluder