News
13,000 Travellers expected at PLS this Weekend says TCIAA
By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TurksandCaicos, March 24, 2022 – This coming Saturday 8,000 travellers and on Sunday, 5,000 more will be either inbound or outbound at the Providenciales International Airport. So, undoubtedly, the destination is hot, but for those looking on, the right kind of hot is critical to true success as a leading tourism escape in the Caribbean.
“Approximately 8,000 passengers are expected to be handled at the Providenciales International Airport on Saturday, March 26th, 2022. Of those 8,000 passengers 7,000 will land and depart Providenciales within a continuous 5-hour window between 11am-4PM. All airlines, with especially American Airlines with as many as 11 flights, will arrive during the peak period.
On Sunday, March 27th, 2022 another 5,000 passengers are expected, which will present a much more manageable situation.”
The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association, TCHTA says it is optimistic that the TCIAA and Government will work with them to make it a better experience.
“We are concerned in a big way, but we know that there are limitations to the existing structure. We are optimistic that in working with the new CEO some agreeable solutions may be found to resolve the congestion,” said Stacy Cox, Executive Director of the TCHTA.
The Airports Authority says a hands on approach to improving the travel experience at the country’s leading airport gateway, the Providenciales International Airport, is not only being activated in time for the weekend coming but was seen last weekend as well.
“Last weekend officials from the Ministry of Border Control and the Deputy Governor were on hand and took measures to address the issue related to the clearing of inbound passengers. Their efforts and intervention proved most effective and are welcomed,” said the Airports Authority in a Wednesday statement to media.
The real need is manifold in size; a mega expansion of the PLS which has been estimated to cost upward of $350 Million. The plans are in heavy discussion informs Government, but will obviously not make it through the pipeline in time for the remainder of March and April 2022.
Travel will continue to be record breaking for the next six weekends at least.
The Airports Authority informed that despite some published reports of an $80 million dollar expansion a decade ago, the investment then was $10 million.
(Magnetic Media has made that correction)
It was also thought to be too little; lacking the vision and confidence that the Turks and Caicos was indeed a highly sought after, luxury escape which would outgrow the expanded space, officially dedicated in December 2014.
It took mere months to prove skeptics right.
“TCIAA is aware of the issues of passengers having to remain onboard aircrafts due to the lack of capacity in the arrival hall. We are working with relevant authorities such as Immigration, Customs, the airlines, and hoteliers to expedite this process. Conversations have occurred, are ongoing, and will continue until solutions that work and that we are satisfied with are achieved.”
Recommendations for there to be refreshments, entertainment, greeters or hosts even cooling fans to be stationed have all been made. The TCIAA, in the Wednesday statement revealed the results of a needs assessment to create a smoother operation at the terminal building.
To manage the expected arrival of some 13,000 passengers this weekend the following measures will take place;
- Additional security will be deployed for faster check-in and passenger clearing.
- All security scanning positions will be deployed and manned to meet the projected passenger demand.
- Additional staff will be deployed for passenger and guest services as has been the case over the past weeks to mitigate congestion. Providenciales International Airport Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: 649.946.4420 Web: www.tciairports.com Email: nikeva@tciairports.com FB: www.facebook.com/tciairports Twitter: @tciaa
- We understand that an increased number of Immigration Officers will be utilized. As the Minister responsible, we will deploy additional support from other islands to Providenciales if necessary.
- We also understand that more Health Service Officers will be available and are currently being coordinated.
- Extra management, supervisory and customer service representatives are necessary to handle visitor questions and processing and will be deployed.
- The departure lounge capacity is not a quick fix. The immediate solution might be to work with Hotels and Villa operators to better coordinate the departure of our guests. This will be explored by the TCIAA. We are still working on these solutions with external stakeholders. This could have added cost and logistics to the stakeholders however we must see the greater good and we strongly encourage our accommodation stakeholders to work with the TCIAA on this effort.
- The Airports Authority is reviewing the use portable and modular space for passengers in both arrival and check-in space as a temporary solution.
- Transparent discussions with restaurants and supply chain operators are ongoing about innovative and operational ways to make passenger experience more acceptable.
Eyes will be on the airport this weekend to see if the collaboration is effective in dousing the ‘hot mess’ which has become an unsavory label and which has been pushed out on social media.
This one came to our newsroom following the horrendous lines over the St Patrick’s Day weekend.
“Hot, super crowded, messy. It’s an embarrassment to the country that this is the first and last place we see.”
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
