TCI Airports earnings up $4.5 Million, says Minister Arlington Musgrove

By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

#TurksandCaicos, February 7, 2022 – Minister for Airports, Arlington Musgrove, in his ministerial statement, revealed that the Turks and Caicos Airports Authority’s financial performance in 2021 was robust.

The minister added there was a 17 per cent improvement on the TCIAA’s forecast earnings. This means the Airports Authority made nearly $4.5 million dollars more than the budget estimated.

Minister Musgrove also said, the TCIAA also saved almost $50,000 dollars on the upgrade project underway for its new office adjacent the Providenciales International terminal.

The Minister informed the House of Assembly, that staff felt the buoyancy in their paychecks; over $87,000 in bonuses were paid out to employees.

Minister Musgrove informed too that there were some history made; the Turks and Caicos first meteorologist was hired – a native, Holly Hamilton-Burkholder, who some may remember as a weather caster at WIV news.

Hamilton-Burkholder has filled the role as the first to do so.

“I have lobbied the Cabinet to approve the reallocation of funding to several important initiatives that I felt was in the best interest of my people, and I am grateful to my Cabinet colleagues for approval granted to reallocate funding to the following initiatives: Purchase one fire truck and conduct repair works to the infrastructure of the Providenciales International Airport. This in no way negates the need for redevelopment, but these repairs are absolutely necessary in the interim.

Mr. Speaker, the TCIAA has also conducted several upgrades and repairs to the Jags McCartney International Airport, that the people of Grand Turk and all travelers will be able to enjoy when travelling to the Nations Capital. ”

In addition to infrastructural enhancements, a new team is leading the TCIAA.  Interim CEO has been named as: Godfrey Smith; a new deputy CEO: Deveraux Malcolm and the Terminal Manager is Devon Fulford.

“These individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and experience and will certainly guide the TCIAA in its mission to improve management and service delivery of airports across the TCI.”