New Airlines coming to Grand Turk, in fact two says Premier Washington Misick

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, December 5, 2023 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government is currently in negotiations with two South Florida airlines to secure commercial flights for the nation’s capital in what they hope will be a catalyst to the development of Grand Turk.

“We are pleased to announce that significant efforts are being made for the reintroduction of international airlift into Grand Turk— we are committed to enhancing accessibility for the residents of Grand Turk by establishing direct airlift into the South Florida market,” said Washington Misick, TCI Premier during a November 23rd House of Assembly sitting.

For now, the government and Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority are attempting to get two airlines to provide biweekly flights.

“We believe that this step will contribute significantly to the development and prosperity of Grand Turk,” Misick said.

More hotels are also in the works

“I am also happy to announce the approval of MOUs for two separate major resort projects in Grand Turk. The Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade will keep you informed assuming these projects advance to full Development Agreement phase over the next three to six months,” Misick said

Its particularly timely as according to the TCIAA, any increase in international commercial flights will have to be in tandem with an increase in accommodation i.e. hotels in the nation’s capital which has long struggled with successful completion of developments.  The agency had made it clear that they were willing to invest in development to increase international flights into Grand Turk.

It’s a tremendous opportunity to increase stayover visitors in Grand Turk, a move that is desperately needed as no major hotel brand has made its home in the nation’s capital despite deal after deal being struck and it’s frustrating residents.

“Somewhere in one of the government buildings is a closet just full of groundbreaking shovels for Grand  Turk, you could make a circle around Grand Turk with shovels,” Pastor Chad Archibald, a Grand Turk native had told Magnetic Media during an interview about the subject.

He says the island is worse off for the lack of proper hotels.

“There are no [hotels] and several attempts over the years to establish and create an extraordinary property on Grand Turk that would have been a catalyst for even greater economics– for various reasons hasn’t materialized.— There’s no other word to use; the community has suffered.”  the pastor explained.

A recent town hall meeting in Grand Turk, held on November 30 at Dillon Hall, is where government leaders again rolled out its plans for spending of millions pooled by itself and Carnival Cruise Lines.