#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – April 102018 – The number one private airport in the Caribbean is once again, Provo Air Center in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, holding onto this leading spot for a third straight year and getting a near perfect score. 

In its recently released annual report, AIN or Aviation International News names the best of the best in FBOs worldwide, based on client surveys where the highest possible score is five.  Topping the list for the Caribbean was Provo Air Center, owned by Turks and Caicos Islander – Lyndon Gardiner.  

In releasing its survey results, an AIN press release explained: “Once again, all the individual high scores in each category were found among the top 10 percent of the FBOs reviewed…”

It went on to add that business is booming after years of being in a slump, “As business aviation continues its rebound from the depths of the global economic downturn a decade ago, optimism continues to grow among U.S. FBO operators, as flight activity and fleet utilization increases. According to industry data provider Aviation Research Group/U.S. (ARGUS), flight activity in 2017 eclipsed the three-million-hour mark for the first time since 2008, and year-over-year rose 5.5 percent over 2016.”

Magnetic Media, in speaking with Deborah Aharon, CEO of #ProvoAirCenter learned the 30 plus staff members are thrilled at holding onto the top spot, earning a 4.49 overall to lead in the region over two FBOs in Nassau Bahamas and one in St. Martin.

“’The entire staff and I are very excited to reach the top spot for a 3rd year in a row.  What makes this so satisfying is that the decision isn’t made by a committee – it’s customers taking the trouble to vote, and is a direct reflection of how they feel about us.  That’s an awesome feeling.”  

Provo Air Center, which opened in 2001 is comfortably handling the majority of private aircraft to the Turks and Caicos Islands and is the only drive thru private airport in the world.  Its new facility on Old Airport Road in Providenciales offers golf cart pick -up from private planes and drive thru processing with Customs and Immigration officials.

“Customs has a 360° desk and service area and it is lower on one side, so that our clients can be seated as their documents are being processed, said Ahrona who is the brainchild of the concept.  

Aharon, a standout herself, is still beaming from a personal and pioneering prize of her own.  In 2017 in St. Maarten, Deborah Aharon was presented the Pegasus Sapphire Award for Outstanding Women in Aviation; the first for a Caribbean-based female aviation professional and a significant stride for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

CEO Aharon explained when asked about who Provo Air Center is serving said, “Most of our business comes from North America, but in the last few years we have been seeing planes fly in from all around the world.  The plans are larger and flying greater distances.”

In releasing the survey results and 2018 report, AIN gave insight into the pulse of private aviation from Stephen Dennis, chairman of Aviation Resource Group International (ARGI), he said “The consensus opinion from our clients is that business is relatively good, with growth in the 2 to 3 percent range, and stable margins.  The outlook for the balance of the year is growth in the 3 percent range.”

Provo Air Center moved to its new FBO in 2015 and rated highest in customer service delivery in the 2017 survey.