TCIAA announces temporary remedy for Airport; more town meetings 

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer  

#TurksandCaicos, August 14, 2023 – A new short-term plan has been introduced to ease congestion at the Providenciales/Howard Hamilton International Airport that the Turks and Caicos Airport Authority says will immediately increase passenger holding capacity and mitigate health concerns.

The Congestion Alleviation Plan was presented at a town hall meeting in Providenciales on August 9th, addressing the redevelopment of the airport, set to begin with a PPP partnership by early 2024.

Through it, the TCIAA will significantly shuffle and rework the current space so more people can fit comfortably. It’s especially important as the world grapples with infectious diseases that can spread easily in crowded airports. Included in the plan:

• The relocation of Airline Offices from the Upper floor of the International Departure Lounge to a Temporary Office Complex located east of the terminal;
• The retrofitting of the International Departure area to include the expansion of Boarding Gates 1 and 2, an extended in-transit area and hold room, and a second Security Screening Checkpoint on the Upper Level;
• The relocation of the VIP Lounge;
• Increased seating area of about 200 seats;
• A new upper-level access point;
• An extended Vehicle Drop Off and;
• The relocation of the Security Checked Baggage Search Room

“This is just a quick fix to what we consider to be urgent needs at the airport,” Selvyn Hawkins, Executive Chairman explained.

Currently, the airport terminal capacity is barely enough to facilitate its guests, resulting in spillover from both departures and arrivals. With the airport canopy still incomplete, travelers leaving are exposed to the elements somewhat, while arriving passengers are often subject to long stints of waiting in the aircraft before they can disembark.

Meetings to inform residents of the changes and upgrades will continue in South Caicos on September 1st at the community center at 5 p.m. and in Grand Turk on September 8th at the Anglican Church in Dillon Hall.