It seemed like today - everyone in Belize was holding their breaths - waiting for that big exhale of the airport opening and overnight tourism resuming.
It's been a long and hard 6 months of suffering for tens of thousands of laid off tourism workers and owners as the country's greatest single economic engine slammed the COVID brake in March.
And now, as it re-starts, the world has changed completely: Belize is deep into its own COVID fight, as it welcomes tourists from the USA who are trying to escape the most heavily COVID infected country on earth.
And so, today, we met in the middle - at the crossroads of needing a break - and needing an economic jump start.
How did it go?
Cherisse Halsall was waiting by the arrival doors to find out just how a post-pandemic visit to Belize starts out.
The P.G.I.A's first commercial flight since March 23rd, touched down just before 11 this morning.
The airport pulled out all the stops to welcome the arrivals. And, as the plane taxied to a stop it was flanked by two fire trucks with water cannons at the ready.
It was a celebratory shower, a symbol of the nation's joy. But it didn't stop there because as they deplaned passengers were treated to another warm welcome provided by exuberant Garifuna dancers
After that, it was into the safe corridor for the new 7 checkpoint system for entry into Belize.
And from the airside to the outside, once they got out of the arrival lounge, most passengers seem undaunted and even excited for everything Belize has to offer.
Cherisse Halsall
"Mr Parker how excited are you to be able to return to Belize?"
Glenn Parker - Tourist
"I've never been here before so I'm so excited to be here with Katherine and I, this is our first time to Belize and we love Belize."
Cherisse Halsall
"So, were you nervous coming to this destination at a time like this?"
Glenn Parker
"Absolutely not, I know how hard your people are working and how hard the Ministry of Health is working, and we felt completely comfortable after doing the research on the internet."
Cherisse Halsall
"So, what are you expecting from this vacation?"
Glenn Parker
"Fun."
Cherisse Halsall
"So, what's been your perception of Belize during this time and our preparations?"
Jim Orby - Long Stay Visitor
"I think this actually went very smoothly. It was a lot smoother than I anticipated, they handled it very well, I think. I'm excited to be on this side of customs and ready to go enjoy my trip."
And for the Belizeans in the crowd it was less excitement and more relief be able to come home to their loved ones.
Cherisse Halsall
"What's the purpose of returning?"
Belizean American returnee
"To spend time with my family, I miss them and you know go from there."
Cherisse Halsall
"So, what was the process like coming through the airport?"
Belizean American returnee
"It was long, we went through a lot of protocols but it's all necessary and you know, I guess it's all necessary."
Cherisse Halsall
"But now, so when COVID hit did you already have plans to come back to Belize?"
Desiree Ramos Mitchell - Belizean American returnee
"Yeah I was supposed to come back for my birthday in May, I was supposed to come back for my first-year anniversary in August and now I'm here today."
Cherisse Halsall
"Who are you being reunited with?"
Desiree Ramos Mitchell
"With my husband, when I can find him."
Ann Sandoval
"I really missed home and I just had to be back, and the welcoming was wow!, really blew me out."
Cherisse Halsall
"So why choose to come home at this time?"
Ann Sandoval - Belizean American returnee
"Family, family you've got to be close with the family and got to appreciate life, yeah there's so many things happening and many people are not being able to spend time with their families so we just want to live life and be home and be with the family."
But the P.G.I.A wasn't the final stop for all passengers; many were transferred via Maya and Tropic flights to their southern and island destinations - resuscitating the domestic air industry.
But whether they came for adventure or comfort, their arrival in Belize was some measure of mid-pandemic relief, even if it is with a glass partition.
Giving rise to some hope that while tourism may not be hands on anymore, it can still be all heart.
