News
Nearly 50 Flights for Providenciales Int’l Airport on Saturday, Minister Announces CAP to help
By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TurksandCaicos, March 22, 2024 – Saturday March 23 will very likely be another record setting day in tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands, with nearly 50 flights scheduled to land and take off from the Providenciales International Airport.
Twelve thousand more travellers arrived by air into the Turks and Caicos Islands in the first two months of 2024, and March has so far produced two record setting days with passengers through the Providenciales International surpassing 10,000 on Saturday March 9 and Saturday March 16
Preliminary figures for 2024 have revealed there have been over 11,000 more visitors arriving by air for January and February; a six percent increase in guest arrivals by air for the first month of this year and a 13.3 percent increase over 2023 for February.
The unprecedented performance of the country’s leading industry – Tourism – comes as the prime airport gateway struggles to keep pace with the international demand; proving to be too small for planes and passengers.
Josephine Connolly, the Minister of Tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands said there are a variety of measures in motion to ensure that this weekend, the airport is ready for the boom.
You could say TCI officials are putting a cap on the issues linked to flight delays and cancellations, which led to over 530 passengers being stranded at the airport during the first half of March. They are calling the intervention, the Congestion Alleviation Project (CAP).
“For departures, the ongoing Congestion Alleviation Project aims to enhance passenger experience and minimise congestion at the airport while the TCIAA advances the redevelopment project. This project includes the immediate terminal buildout: Expanded vehicle drop-off area (Completed); Relocation of airline offices (Completed); Second-level security screening (Ongoing); Departure hold room expansion on the second level (Ongoing);In transit passenger screening and holding room (Completed) and Expansion of the departures and boarding gates (Ongoing),” informed Minister Connolly in a statement this week.
The Turks and Caicos Airports Authority has asked for public help in sharing emergency information related to flights; it’s an admission by default, that the PLS is likely to feel strain as it tries to shepherd most of the 47 scheduled commercial flights though a tiny window.
What the TCIAA does not want is passengers waiting for protracted periods of time on their planes.
Minister Connolly shared: “As the Turks and Caicos Islands continue to attract increased visitors, the destination is working to ensure the comfort of our guests as they arrive and depart.
For arrivals, the TCIAA has procured additional tents to provide a protective haven from the elements should the line extend beyond
For Saturday, travellers are asked to arrive no more than two hours before their flights and to ensure they are communicating regularly with their air carrier to determine when flights are actually scheduled to leave.
“…the TCIAA has also implemented several initiatives among them the addition of Apron Controllers to closely monitor aircraft parking and turnaround times, aiming to minimise delays through improved communication and aid in faster turnaround times for aircraft parking, and a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting General Aircraft (GA) operations between 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm on Saturdays.”
Commercial airlines are getting priority and that makes good sense, as it is the carriers which bring in the larger numbers of passengers and whose flight crews are more susceptible to FAA rules established to prevent over-working pilots.
According to Experience Turks and Caicos, other initiatives to ensure guest comfort at the undersized airport terminal include increased security personnel, strategically positioning hosts to ensure efficient flow in high foot traffic areas and live entertainment to serenade passengers.