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.