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REDEMPTION:  Providenciales Int’l Airport “Much Better Organised” for Travellers

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By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 29, 2022 – In its busiest weekend handling 13,000 travellers, the Providenciales International Airport (PLS) scored sky high marks for performance after a dismal rating just seven days before.

“Yes, it was much better organised.  Long lines still, but better organized,” said a worker who was able to feel the island breezes swirling through the departure area of the airport; a young woman getting off for the day and seemingly happy to offer a positive analysis.

A week earlier, the congestion was so thick, no winds could fan the passengers or employees and there would be nowhere to stand and engage in friendly banter.

Last weekend the congestion was labelled “horrendous” and an “emergency.”  This past weekend, there was the kind of order more befitting one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing, luxury destinations.

“The TCIAA met with several industry stakeholders (TCIG, the Tourist Board, TCHTA, airline representatives, and operators in a web conference on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022.”

That meeting resulted in a collaboration which has turned lemons into lemonade.

Managers of the country’s airports, the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) had rolled out a needs assessment list to the general public and met with stakeholders to create a plan.

While all elements of the plan did not materialize in time for weekend buzz, the string of ideas woven together in that virtual meeting compensated well to give the passengers an overall improved experience in arrivals and departures.

A key change which enabled the relief; reducing the length of time passengers actually spent at the airport.

“Several hotels have agreed to delay check-out or transport departing guests to the airport to avoid congestion in the check-in area during peak hours. To this end, the TCIAA encourages persons traveling this weekend to arrive no earlier than two (2) hours and no later than one (1) hour before their departing flight. In addition, the TCIAA and Airlines will be working together to assist persons during check-in to ensure that no one misses their scheduled flight,” said the TCIAA in a statement issued on Friday.

Our news organisation’s observation on Sunday, included passenger queues which were clearly defined for airline check-in and security check points.   More workers including volunteers who were assigned to guiding and supporting passengers were easily identified and included student interns from the Clement Howell High School Tourism Club.

There were no lines hanging out of the terminal building, no guests seated on the ground as they waited to depart the country and more regard for a healthy environment given that, officially, the Coronavirus Pandemic is not over.

Tents were erected outside the departure are in the event of an overflow.

Less crowding also meant less heat and with the open-air concept of the Providenciales International Airport departure lounge, which is not an air-conditioned space, it was vital that congestion be reduced to ensure comfort was heightened.

On Saturday, “there was live music playing” as had been the promise.  It was also agreed guests would receive complimentary drinks.

An air-conditioned tent was one of the plans which fell through; it was due to be set up on the airside of the PLS.

Interim CEO of the TCIAA informed that without the tent when guests arrive, it would be another “tough weekend.”

“Our tent plan will not be in place today as expected. Our contractor was delivering a different concept to our expectation.  We will work through this over the weekend,” said Godfrey Smith, TCIAA CEO.

Still, processing of arriving guests was to benefit from better co-ordination.  With the assistance of the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Ministry of Border Services, a revised approach came into play.

“Border Control Services (Immigration and Customs) will schedule additional staff to assist with the processing of inbound passengers. In addition, local airline agents will liaise with their respective airlines to ensure that passengers possess the required forms for processing through Border Control before arrival in the TCI.  The TCIAA will also ensure that additional forms and pens are available from within the airside holding tent to allow passengers to complete the required documents before entering 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 the Immigration Hall. Health status cards for arriving passengers have been discontinued since December 1st, 2021,” was explained in the March 25, statement.

The FastTrack service offered by the PLS for a premium price fell far short however.

“There were not enough FastTrack hosts to handle the number of travellers who paid for it.  They’re going to have to do something about that,” explained one woman who saw multiple FastTrackers agitated by the inability to get the service expected.

The real issue at the PLS is no secret.  The airport is grossly undersized, and despite a $10 Million make-over which increased the parking apron, improved the airplane runway and doubled the size of the terminal building, the country’s #1 airport gateway is not fit for purpose.

Government has informed that it will take upwards of $350 Million to create a more ideal airport facility; but its fruition is at least four years down the road.

An immediate or interim solution has not been announced.

The TCIAA and its partners will however have other opportunities to fine tune its service at the Providenciales International Airport, as resorts have confirmed that bookings for April 2022 will top March 2022, for another record-setting month in tourism.

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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