Belize’s tourism sector is bracing for significant disruptions as the United States implements a 10% reduction in scheduled flight capacity across 40 high-traffic air zones. This decision, announced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday, is a direct consequence of the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, which has left air traffic controllers unpaid since October 1. Major airports in cities such as Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Dallas, and New York—critical hubs for connecting flights to Belize—are among those affected. Airlines including United, Delta, and American are adjusting schedules and cancelling regional routes, potentially causing delays, cancellations, or unexpected rerouting for travelers heading to Belize. Reynaldo Malik, President of the Belize Hotel Association, highlighted the interconnectedness of the Belizean economy with North America, stating, ‘If North America sneezes, we’re going to catch a cold. Right now, that cold has edged up into a little bit of a serious flu.’ The Associated Press reports that these cuts could impact up to 1,800 flights and 268,000 passengers daily, with no clear resolution in sight. As of Thursday morning, over 1,600 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. had been delayed, and nearly 50 were cancelled, according to FlightAware. This development comes at a particularly challenging time for Belize, which heavily depends on U.S. tourist arrivals during the winter high season. Despite the uncertainty, Malik remains optimistic about the industry’s resilience, emphasizing the need for continuous efforts to attract visitors.