Ambergris Caye New Airport – IDB Plan for Sustainable Development
Ambergris Caye Airport
Establishing a new international airport on Ambergris Caye has gained renewed attention as of May 2025.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced “The Strategic Plan for the Sustainable Development of Ambergris Caye” in May 2025, with one of the key focal points being the planning and development of airport infrastructure on Ambergris Caye, Belize.
This long-term vision, supported by the IDB through technical assistance, identifies “new airport and transportation infrastructure” as a key strategic investment area. The plan for Ambergris Caye aims to guide the island’s sustainable development, with a focus on resilience to environmental pressures, enhancing the visitor experience, and improving the overall quality of life for residents.
One of the key infrastructure projects and enhancements in the plan is the development of new airport infrastructure, including a new airport facility (potentially an international airport) on Ambergris Caye (near Secret Beach, West Coast, and North).
The new airport signals a clear governmental intent to enhance and potentially expand aviation capabilities on Ambergris Caye, moving beyond the operational limits of the existing John Greif II Municipal Airport. This forward-looking approach to infrastructure development is a proactive approach to growing tourism and increasing carrying capacity in Belize and Ambergris Caye.
The airport development plans are pivotal for shaping Ambergris Caye’s future tourism landscape and economic trajectory. The IDB’s continued involvement brings potential financial resources, invaluable technical expertise, and adherence to international standards.
New International Airport on Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye Airport Plans & Location
The proposed location is just north of Secret Beach and Grand Belizean Estates. The site (located on Social Security Land) will be 494 acres, with a proposed runway length of 8,800 linear feet (2,700 meters). This would make the runway long enough for potential use of aircraft like B737 or A329 planes (suitable for international flights).
The vision for San Pedro and Ambergris Caye’s new airport project is to create a premier aviation hub that catalyzes tourism growth and economic development on Ambergris Caye.
The airport’s infrastructure must support increased aircraft and passenger traffic while maintaining financial and economic viability. The overall project focuses on enhancing road accessibility and ensuring the airport’s proximity to new and existing urban centers, thereby allowing for seamless connections with the local community.
Airport Information
Ambergris Caye Airport Location
New International Airport Ambergris Caye
The development of a new airport on Ambergris Caye (near Secret Beach) is a key point in the scenario’s design. Having a new airport facility on the island allows for infrastructure development with appropriate safety standards and improved capacity for air operations. The following figure shows the sites selected by the NTMP and the advantages of the chosen location.
Google Earth of Airport Location Secret Beach
Drone Photos of Proposed Location
Criteria for Airport Location
The New Ambergris Caye Airport considers regional benchmarks of international airfields built in similar contexts to the island and has a comprehensive vision, including a roadmap that specifies the timeline and phases for its construction.
Comparison Airports
The IDB conducted a thorough case study, examining comparable locations and airport facilities in the region. The IDB prioritized comparable destinations with successful case studies (as shown in Table 120 below).
Having the “Prioritization of Successful Cases”, it can be concluded that the airports with the highest applicability for the construction of the new airport vision in Ambergris Caye were selected using a traffic light classification methodology, where each of the criteria has a value depending on its hierarchy.
Cases that predominated in the green color were chosen for a deeper analysis, as they offer greater insights and lessons learned.
Below is a brief description of the three airports used as the benchmark for the future Ambergris Caye airport:
- Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport: Located on Roatán Island, Honduras, this airport has evolved from a modest facility in the 1970s to a modern international airport.
- Key West International Airport (EYW) is situated two miles east of downtown Key West, Florida. Despite its small size, it accommodates various aircraft and provides direct flights to major U.S. cities.
- JAGS McCartney International Airport: This is the main air hub for the Turks and Caicos Islands, located on Grand Turk Island. This airport, opened in 1990, primarily serves flights from North America and the Caribbean.
Below is a detailed explanation of each of the prioritized airports. A description of each is included, along with the differentiating factors that contribute to formulating the vision for the new airport in Ambergris Caye.
New Airport Ambergris Caye Summary
New International Airport Ambergris Caye
Current San Pedro Airport
The John Greif II Municipal Airport, situated in downtown San Pedro, serves as the primary air gateway to Ambergris Caye and is a linchpin of the island’s economy.
The IDB’s engagement extends to tangible infrastructure improvements, notably its grant contribution towards the approximately $3.7 million upgrade of the John Greif II Municipal Airport, completed in December 2024.
The airport underwent significant upgrades with a budget of approximately $3.7 million. These improvements aimed to enhance safety, efficiency, and operations. The improvements include:
- Complete resurfacing and rehabilitation of the runway
- Addition of a holding bay for more efficient aircraft movement.
- Installation of modern LED runway and taxiway lights for improved visibility during nighttime operations, which is crucial for late-night flights and emergency medical evacuations.
- Reinforced perimeter fencing to enhance security.
- Installation of a Precision Approach Pathway Indicator (PAPI) Lighting System to aid pilots during landings.
IDB Ambergris Caye Development Plan
The Inter-American Development Bank’s support of the Ambergris Caye’s airport and broader infrastructure development aligns cohesively with its established regional priorities and its specific country strategy for Belize.
Historically, IDB country strategies for Belize have prioritized key economic sectors, including tourism and transportation. Given Ambergris Caye’s status as Belize’s premier tourism destination, investments to enhance its accessibility and infrastructure capacity, including airports, directly support these strategic pillars.
The overarching Strategic Plan anticipates investments exceeding US$300 million over the next two decades, with opportunities for public-private partnerships (PPPs), a mechanism the IDB is committed to helping explore. The IDB’s role is multifaceted, encompassing technical advisory services, direct financial contributions, and facilitation of broader investment.
The IDB’s announcement of “The Strategic Plan for Ambergris Caye” outlines a series of strategic investments across several critical sectors. The development of “new airport and transportation infrastructure” is identified as a key area of focus.
Other sources corroborate this focus, specifying “ports, airports, and roads” as crucial infrastructure elements to be strengthened under the plan. The development plan encompasses vital improvements and expansions in water and sanitation services, electricity networks, health facilities, housing, and community development projects.
📄 Download IDB Ambergris Caye Summary
Ambergris Caye IDB Outline Web
