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BZE · large airport

Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport

Belize City, Belize

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BZElarge airport

Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport

Belize City, Belize
Explore Belize City city guide Navigate to this airport
28
Routes out
20
Destinations
MZBZ
ICAO
15 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Belize's primary international gateway on the Caribbean coast.

Opened
1949
Location
Belize City, Belize
Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport is the main international airport serving Belize City and the entire nation of Belize. It is named after Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, a prominent Belizean journalist and politician who advocated for the country's independence. The airport is located approximately 16 kilometres northwest of Belize City, near the town of Ladyville. It serves as the country's principal hub for both international and domestic aviation, connecting Belize to major cities in North America and the Caribbean. The airport underwent significant modernisation and expansion in the 2000s and 2010s, including upgrades to its terminal, runway, and facilities to accommodate growing tourist traffic. Belize's tourism sector, centred on its barrier reef and ecotourism offerings, drives substantial passenger demand.
Terminals
The airport has a single international terminal along with a separate facility handling domestic and regional commuter flights.
Getting to & from
Ground transport from the airport into Belize City includes taxis, shared shuttles, and private transfers, as public bus service directly to the terminal is limited.
Airlines here
Major airlines serving BZE include American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and Copa Airlines, with Maya Island Air and Tropic Air operating domestic routes.
Notable facts
  • ›Named after Belizean journalist and independence advocate Philip S. W. Goldson.
  • ›Located approximately 16 km northwest of Belize City near Ladyville.
  • ›Serves as the primary hub for domestic carriers Maya Island Air and Tropic Air.
  • ›The airport's single runway is designated 07/25.
  • ›Belize's proximity to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef drives significant tourism-related air traffic.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Gateway to Belize's ancient jungles, cayes, and Caribbean horizons

Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, named after a prominent Belizean journalist and politician, has served as the country's primary international gateway since the 1930s. Located approximately 15 kilometres northwest of Belize City, it handles the bulk of international arrivals connecting travellers to the country's coral reefs, Mayan ruins, and rainforest reserves. As a compact but steadily modernising facility, it plays a pivotal role in Belize's tourism-driven economy.

Terminals
  • International Terminal — Handles all scheduled international flights with check-in, customs, immigration, duty-free shops, and departure lounges.
  • Domestic Terminal — A separate, smaller facility serving short-hop domestic flights to Ambergris Caye, Placencia, Dangriga, and other regional airstrips.
Ground Transport
  • Taxis available curbside outside arrivals — no meters, so agree on fare in advance
  • Shared shuttle services to Belize City and popular resort areas
  • Rental car counters from agencies including Thrifty, Budget, and Crystal Auto Rental
  • Public buses (Belize City routes) accessible from the main road just outside the airport
  • Hotel courtesy transfers arranged through most major resorts and lodges
Nearby Hotels
  • Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina
  • Great House Hotel Belize City
  • Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza
  • Biltmore Plaza Hotel
  • The Chateau Caribbean
Dining

Inside the airport, dining options are limited to a small number of casual cafés and snack counters in both the international and domestic terminals, offering Belizean staples and light refreshments. Airside options expand slightly past security with a bar and additional food counter for departing passengers. For a wider culinary experience, Belize City's waterfront district offers local seafood, rice and beans, and international cuisine within a short taxi ride.

Traveller Tips
  • Confirm your taxi fare to Belize City before getting in — standard rate is roughly BZD 50–60 from the airport.
  • If connecting to the cayes or inland destinations, the domestic terminal is a short walk or shuttle ride from the international building — allow extra time.
  • Belize operates on Belize Dollar (BZD), pegged at 2:1 to the USD — US dollars are widely accepted but change may be given in BZD.
  • Arrive at least 2.5 hours before international departures as security and check-in queues can build quickly during peak travel seasons.
Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (20 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Routes

BZE → FRS5U · CNA
BZE → DGA9N · CNC
BZE → FRS9N · CNC
BZE → MID9N · CNC
BZE → PLJ9N · CNC
BZE → RTB9N · CNC
BZE → SQS9N · CNC
BZE → BCV9N · CNC
BZE → CUK9N · CNC
BZE → CUN9N · CNC
BZE → SAP9N · CNC
BZE → SPR9N · CNC
BZE → TZA9N · CNC
BZE → CLTAA · 319
BZE → DFWAA · 738
BZE → MIAAA · 738
BZE → SALAV · E90
BZE → ATLDL · 319 M88
BZE → LAXDL · 320
BZE → CUKMY · CNC
BZE → TZAMY · CNC
BZE → DGAMY · CNC
BZE → SPRMY · CNC
BZE → EWRUA · 738
BZE → IAHUA · 73G 738
BZE → CLTUS · 319
BZE → DFWUS · 738
BZE → MIAUS · 738
Hotels near BZE

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City & Place Guide

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport
Encyclopaedia

Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport is an international airport that serves the nation of Belize's largest city, Belize City along the eastern coast of Central America. It was named after politician Philip S. W. Goldson, who died in 2001. The airport is at an elevation of 5 m (16 ft), which means both the airport and the entirety of Belize City are at risk of serious flooding due to its low elevation and coastal location. For this reason, Belize's capital has been moved to Belmopan, but the airport remains the largest and busiest in the country. With stable passenger growth, Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport is currently the fifth busiest airport in Central America. Belize Airport covers 457 acres (185 ha) of land and has one runway.

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