Domestic Terminal at JAGS Airport, Re-opens

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, June 29, 2023 – The J.AG.S. McCartney International airport is now officially open  – at least in part – to the public, six years after being pounded by the Category 5 storm strength of back to back hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The Turks and Caicos Airports Authority on June 21st announced that the Domestic Arrival Terminal of the Grand Turk airport has opened to the public once more.  Residents had, for years, been routed to a makeshift entrance outside of the main arrivals and departure terminal due to damages and ongoing refurbishment.

Restoration of public buildings in the capital, Grand Turk, following the passage of the hurricanes in September 2017 has been slow going, heavily criticised and is still taking place despite adequate funding, Government promises and Public agitation. 

Now, the TCIAA has announced the return of use of the main terminal and says the opening of the international terminal will follow within the next two weeks making the airport able to accept passengers from all destinations.

Repairs aren’t completely wrapped up though. The TCIAA says it will continue to work on the roofing through the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Also in the works to update the airport:

•  Rehabilitation of the perimeter fence, being carried out by Olympic Construction Ltd. The agency says ‘procurement of the high-grade prefabricated Forte fence of reinforced steel, capable of withstanding a Category 5 hurricane, should be on the island within the following months and erected by December 2023.’
• Construction of the Grand Turk Firehall.
• Restoration of the Air Traffic Control Tower.
• Restoration of the Parking Lot.
• Erection of a JAGS McCartney Monument.

The JAGS McCartney International Airport was believed to have been battered by the off the chart winds of Hurricane Fiona on September 7, 2017. It is also believed a tornado hit the site, as vehicles were strewn acrossing the parking lot, some flipped and others stacked upon each other.  Soon the terminal was deemed unfit for use and temporarily closed after a string of negative reports from travellers.