We asked Minister Perez about the other bit of aviation news coming out of this week's Cabinet Meeting.
A press release from the government says that during Tuesday's meeting, the Cabinet approved the signing of an Air Transport Agreement between Belize and the State of Qatar. That agreement will grant the two countries the right to fly across each other's territory, make stops in each other's countries, and establish scheduled International air services.
Here's what Perez had to say about it:
Abner Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy & Civil Aviation
"That is something that we had already sign called an MOU back in last year December in Colombia. Now, that it went to cabinet and its approved and we can now proceed with that. Basically, what it does is that countries like Quatar that approach us and wanted to establish that is for the future we always prepare. It is never about what we can do now but in the future in the event of these transatlantic flights, I can give you an example. For example, if the airlines from Quatar will be flying and coming around this region, there is something called the 5th Freedom Right for airlines whereby if you're having this airline coming in from Quatar and their final destination is Panama, but they are coming to Belize and they have 8 passengers going to Panama, they haven't he right to pick up those 8 passengers especially beneficial for us as a small country because it is very difficult to get these transatlantic flights to fill it up. So, having them to pick up 8 people to Panama, this is where it becomes beneficial. Also, we have to be strategic as well, very important and this is also in relation to what we were talking about the air cargo hub, that is the goal we aim for. I want to make it clear; it is crucial that we as a country aim for these long-term projects that can be beneficial to us and I've said it before. We're always talking about tourism, we're talking about agriculture as national priorities, we are pushing now telling everyone it is time to put aviation up there as well to be part of national priorities that we have. If eventually opening up an air cargo hub here, it can be a big game changer but why I mentioned again that it is important we pounce on the opportunity that is there for us out there because if we don't, some other Central American country is going to do it. It is evident, so we are preparing ourselves to get a feasible study of where it can be done if it can be done."
Reporter
"People in the know, for the Aviation Industry responding to us with puzzlement given that the suggestion is that the nation of Quatar isn't even flying to Mexico but they have entered an agreement with Belize ahead of a bigger nation?"
Abner Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy & Civil Aviation
"Well, let me tell you something, this is all a bigger plan that we are working together with the Ministers. The aim is always to get those transatlantic flights and that is why we from the government standpoint is doing our part and that is preparing an - infrastructure, case in point the brand new primary radar is coming. Secondly also is adding to the point that we are pushing as well those at TGIA as well the concession or group there that they must prepare as well. So, we from government will not be sitting down and saying when it's going to come or when are we going to get ready. We are already pursing that not only with Quatar but with any airlines that will want to come. We've been to London, the Minister of Tourism and I have been to speak to the people at British Airways and the possibility as well of making a transatlantic flight whether it is coming from the Dominican Republic or Jamaica or if we are talking about Kalen that goes to the other small areas like Curacao or the ABC islands and they can come to Belize. British airways coming from Dominican Republic, Belize, Costa Rica and they go back, all of these are possibilities so we can't wait and assume well if it is not flying to Mexico, we won't bother with that. We have to lead and be at the forefront, we can't be saying well 'are you flying, can I check if you are okay?', we have to be dependent and we have to make the decision now. We don't wait for it to happen, if it is flying to Guatemala, we are going after them, when they start landing here then we'll realize that everyone will want the same thing so we are doing our work, we're being independent and focused."
