Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport is an airport

Airport

An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...

 that serves Belize

Belize

Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...

's largest city, Belize City

Belize City

Belize City is the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize. Unofficial estimates place the population of Belize City at 70,000 or more. It is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean. The city is the country's principal port and its financial and...

. It was named for politician Phillip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson

Phillip Goldson

Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson was a Belizean newspaper editor, activist and politician. He served in the House of Representatives of Belize as member for the Albert Division from 1961 to 1998 and twice as a Minister...

, who died in 2001.

The airport will be going through major expansions such as the lengthening of the runway, expanding of the apron and expansion of the terminal. These expansions are made mainly to handle more planes and for the airport to bring in flights from Europe. The expansions are planned to be completed in time for 2015.

Philip S. W. Goldson is at an altitude

Altitude

Altitude or height is defined based on the context in which it is used . As a general definition, altitude is a distance measurement, usually in the vertical or "up" direction, between a reference datum and a point or object. The reference datum also often varies according to the context...

 of 5 m (16.4 ft) and this means that 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

Belmopan

Belmopan , estimated population 20,000 is the capital city of Belize.Belmopan is located at , at an altitude of 76 metres above sea level. Belmopan was constructed just to the east of Belize River, inland from the former capital, the port of Belize City, after that city's near destruction by...

, but Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport remains the largest and busiest in the country.

Philip S. W. Goldson is about 30 minutes drive from Belize City's centre, in Ladyville. The best way to get to and from the city centre is via taxi

Taxicab

A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...

. Although an airport bus service exists, it is very infrequent and unreliable.

Airlines and destinations

External links

• Philip Goldson International Airport (official site)