Turks & Caicos Air Travel tax increased from February 1

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, January 19, 2024 – All six airports in the Turks and Caicos Islands will now be able to get a reasonable share of the income generated from the  Airport Development Fee levied on passengers, following an increase by the TCIAA.

The initial $20 fee which was implemented to fund improvements at the Providenciales International Airport was being split six ways, eating into the budget for upgrades in Provo according to the Airports Authority.

“The current  $20 fee is only supposed for the Providenciales International Airport, and it is only supposed to be used at that airport, what happened is we do not have any international activity at our other airports, said Devereaux Malcolm, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, TCIAA.

The TCIAA had stretched the fee to cover Salt Cay, South Caicos, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, Grand Turk and Providenciales so that they could all have improvements, but with that came potential auditing issues.  Legislation allowing the increase was aimed at fixing that.

“That $15 will now go towards the other airports [the fee] will go from$20 to  $35 so that as the airport grows and the consumer base grows that money will now be used for [upgrades],” Malcolm said.

It comes as the TCIAA focuses on making all of its Airports economically viable.  New flights are currently being sought to increase international and long stay travellers into both into Grand Turk and South Caicos.

The improvements are desperately needed.  Complaints are constantly coming from residents and visitors alike about long lines, heat, and extended wait times; most often in Providenciales.

The increase takes effect on February 1, 2024, and will affect all airline tickets purchased on or after that date.

Photo: The Points Guy