Airport Charges
Airports across all hub sizes are improving how they manage their businesses to better satisfy passenger needs and expectations. The PGIA is no exception, and several years ago, the Government of Belize along with the Belize Airports Authority approved regulated airport fees on tickets. Operating expenses have risen to comply with stringent safety and security regulations since 9/11. Of course, operating expenses exclude capital expenditures for construction projects or other physical improvements associated with airports and passenger service.
International travelers often purchase tickets directly from an airline, from the website of an airline or from travel agencies with the regulated fees at the PGIA being passenger service of US$15.00, airport development of US$36.00, security of US$1.25, hold baggage of US$1.25 and PACT of US20.00.
Belizeans who have purchased an international ticket directly from an airline, from the website of an airline or from travel agencies, and have been charged the regulated fees, can claim a refund on the airport development fee and PACT.
How do Belizeans make good on their claim? The best way to get your refund is to email supervisor, Ms. Francelia Manzanero, at fmanzanero@pgiabelize.com or accountant, Mr. Jason Pascual, at jpascual@pgiabelize.com or visit with the PGIA’s Receptionist in Teminal 1 and present proof of valid Belizean residency or citizenship along with your travel documents. Refund claims must be done within six months after traveling and within a fiscal year. Qualified claims are normally honored within 5 business days by the Belize Airport Concession Company Limited (BACC). A Belizean who did not pay the airport development fee or presented valid Belizean residency or citizenship at the Pre-Board desk at the time of travel, cannot get a refund!
A few things to keep in mind: A refund claim will be honored once the Airline, which has collected the fee, has paid BACC. An airline or travel agency that collects the airport development fee and fails to pay BACC is liable to the traveler with Belizean residency or citizenship. This traveler is then required to claim the refund from the airline. Any passenger who has been boarded by officials of an airline and denied entry by Immigration officers at the PGIA is not entitled to a refund. Belizeans claiming a refund on the government-levied PACT fee of US$20.00 must do so with the airline where the ticket was bought, and not with BACC.