News
TCIAA ADDRESSES ANNOUNCEMENT OF TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS BY INTERCARIBBEAN AIRWAYS INTO SOUTH CAICOS
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, Sunday, 8th September 2024 – Yesterday, Saturday September 7th, 2024 it was brought to the attention of the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (“TCIAA”) through a social media posting that InterCaribbean Airways (“ICA”) will be discontinuing services between Providenciales and South Caicos airports for two weeks, starting on September 14th and ending on September 30th 2024.
Unfortunately, ICA’s notice of this service disruption was not directly communicated to the Airports Authority. Instead, it was sent to select hoteliers, government offices in South Caicos, and various stakeholders. ICA has reportedly suggested to stakeholders that the cause of the service suspension is due to restrictions imposed by the Airports Authority, specifically concerning the airline’s inability to use an Embraer 120 (“E120”) aircraft for South Caicos operations.
On August 29th 2024, ICA’s Operations Manager wrote an email to the TCIAA’s Deputy CEO for Operations and Director of Safety and Security, vaguely informing them of the need to temporarily remove their current equipment (a DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft) from service and inquiring about using the E120 in its place. Regrettably but understandably, this email was not formally responded to as those emailed were already engaged in conversations with the same Operations Manager for ICA on matters relating to special one-off flights using the E120 and the airport for after-hour operations. Thus, the lack of response to this single email, may have been due to a misunderstanding of the nature of the inquiry in the light of ongoing conversations. Apart from this single email, ICA did not make any other contact with the TCIAA to procure a response from those emailed, or attempt to escalate its concerns to the upper leadership of TCIAA for proactive engagement and resolution. To be clear, at no time did ICA advise the TCIAA of its intent to suspend services into South Caicos or contact the TCIAA to substantially coordinate mitigating solutions to its need to remove the current aircraft from service.
The Airports Authority has previously received approval from the UK Regulator, Air Safety Support International (ASSI) to conduct one-off flights of aircraft exceeding the 10,000 kilograms weight limit, including commercial and general aviation aircraft into South Caicos. However, ASSI has in later times advised that no further requests will be granted until specific security measures are in place, namely the completion of a perimeter fence and the installation of security scanning machines.
As the public is aware, the perimeter fence of the South Caicos airport was significantly destroyed during the 2017 hurricanes. Upon transitioning to new leadership between late 2021/early 2022, works for the installation of a new perimeter fence began, and construction was completed on 3rd September 2024. Before ICA’s announcement, the Airports Authority’s security managers were and remain scheduled to fly to South Caicos on Monday, 9th September 2024 to formally accept the handover of the security perimeter fence. Upon completion of this handover, the TCIAA will document the status of the fence and submit an application to ASSI to upgrade the airport’s security status.
It is important to note that South Caicos Airport is currently not approved by ASSI for international flight operations. The airport is restricted to aircraft operations involving aircraft weighing less than 10,000 kilograms. Therefore, the operation of the E120 aircraft is currently not permissible, despite the airport meeting firefighting requirements for that aircraft.
To gain ASSI clearance for international aircraft operations, the TCIAA must provide evidence of a compliant installation of the perimeter fence, as well as install security screening equipment that meet the Overseas Territories Aviation Requirements (“OTAR”) standards. Once these requirements are fulfilled, ASSI will communicate this to the TCI Civil Aviation Authority, which will then advise the Governor to reinstate the airport into the national aviation security network.
It is possible to request special leave from ASSI to operate the E120 for domestic commercial flights. If ICA had made clear its intentions with the TCIAA it would have been advised of the imminent security handover of the airport’s perimeter fence line and interim options for passenger and baggage screening which may have prevented the need for its decision and announcement made to suspend flight services into South Caicos. Notably, an Invitation to Tender for the acquisition of Security Screening Equipment is currently lodged with the Procurement Board awaiting its approval and release to allow for bids to be received.
The Airports Authority has been informed that ICA has previously contracted with Caicos Express to handle flights during periods when its DHC-6 is out of service. ICA, however, has stated that contracting Caicos Express is costly and that bookings during the suspension period are too low to justify the expense (there being only 58 reported bookings during the period). The TCIAA is unable to confirm the fact of or the extent to which efforts were made by ICA to negotiate a ‘filler’ service arrangement with Caicos Express.
The TCIAA has noted with disappointment with the manner in which ICA’s decision was made and communicated to both the Government and the people of South Caicos. It does not appear that every possible option was explored or exhausted before a unilateral decision was made to suspend flight services, and believes more could have been done to ensure the island of South Caicos maintained connectivity during this period. To this end, the TCIAA is working aggressively with the support of the Office of the Premier and Ministry of Border Control (the Ministry responsible for Airports) to resolve and/or mitigate the adverse implications of ICA’s unfortunate decision and announcement. The Public will be updated as works for a resolution progress.
By Deandrea Hamilton
The Cassandra I remember never backed down from a fight.
She had an effervescent personality and was fiercely committed to her family—and that included her church and her friends. She deeply
appreciated the people God had given her, drawing on their love and support to push through circumstances no child, no teenager, should have to face.
Today, voters in a country far from where she grew up have trusted her to champion more accessible communities and better responses to people facing mental health and developmental challenges.
It speaks volumes about what happens when we believe in our children. When we refuse to set limits on who they can become, regardless of how they started. When we recognize God’s hand on their lives and support their ability to contribute and make an impact, wherever He places them.
Cassandra Toussaint is now councilwoman-elect for Ward 1 in Avon, Indiana, after defeating Republican Doug Elmore in the November 3 election. She ran as a Democrat. (youarecurrent.com)
Of Haitian heritage, she grew up in Turks and Caicos, attending Oseta Jolly, briefly Maranatha, and then TCIPS.
Her connections remain strong: friends, family and Lady Turks Gift Shop, a boutique venture she created with her best friend, Novie, from an idea they shared as teenagers.
Her family includes her father, Eliezer Toussaint, and her brother, Stoycov Toussaint, who graduated from Indiana University. Stephane Ambroise is playing basketball in Canada. Her mother, Ertha Etienne, died when Cassandra and her siblings were children.
In Turks and Caicos, her cousins Brenda, Steven, Lendcy and Sarah Cenary are, she says, successful and passionate about helping young
people and giving back to their community. Their mother, her aunt Rose Philomene Cenary, has worked in the Islands’ hotel industry for years and holds a special place in Cassandra’s heart.
“My aunt is the glue of my family,” Cassandra said, describing her love for the family and how she has always done her best to support them all.
A registered behavior technician, Toussaint says her childhood experiences inspired her to advocate for children who feel misunderstood.
Her campaign priorities included improved roads, accessible parks and facilities, and police training to better recognize and respond to autism and intellectual disabilities.
With limited money and little preparation time, she took her campaign directly to residents, knocking on doors and connecting at community events.
“Every resident deserves to be met with understanding,” she wrote.
The young woman I remember is preparing to bring that conviction into public office.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (November 6th, 2026) – The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes Porter Airlines as it begins its service to the destination with its inaugural Toronto (YYZ) to Providenciales (PLS) route on Friday, November 6th. The airline will service the route five times weekly from the Toronto Pearson International Airport.
On December 17th, Porter will launch its Ottawa to PLS flight, a new route for the Turks and Caicos Islands. That route will be serviced twice weekly from Ottawa International Airport (YOW).
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly said the expansion of air service from Canada reflects the growing strength of that market to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“Canada is showing strong and growing interest in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and we are pleased to see that reflected in the expansion of air service from the market. Porter Airlines’ new nonstop flights from Toronto and Ottawa strengthen our connectivity with Canada and give travellers more convenient options for reaching our islands. Canadians have always shown a genuine appreciation for the culture, heritage, natural beauty and, of course, the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Perhaps it is that shared warmth and friendliness that keeps bringing them back, and our partnership with Porter will simply make it easier for Canadians to continue showing their love for our Beautiful by Nature islands. Toronto builds on an important existing market for us, while Ottawa opens an entirely new gateway to the Turks and Caicos Islands. This increased access will make it easier for more Canadians to discover and enjoy our destination, while supporting the continued growth of this important market.”
Hon. Arlington Musgrove, minister responsible for aviation, Turks and Caicos commended his team at the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) for developing this relationship with Porter.
“The launch of Porter Airlines’ new services from Toronto and Ottawa to the Turks and Caicos Islands is another important milestone in strengthening our connectivity with the Canadian market. Canada remains an important source market for our tourism industry, and these new routes will give Canadians more choice and easier access to the warmth, beauty, and hospitality of the Turks and Caicos Islands. I
commend the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority for leading this initiative and for its continued efforts to develop air service and build strong relationships with our airline partners. I also extend our sincere appreciation to Porter Airlines for its confidence in the Turks and Caicos Islands and for choosing our destination as part of its growing network of sun destinations. We warmly welcome Porter, its passengers and crew to our shores and look forward to a successful and lasting partnership,” he said.
To celebrate and promote the new flights, Experience Turks and Caicos hosted a reception in Ottawa for travel advisors and media. Organised by VoX International, our marketing agency in Canada, the event featured remarks by Market Intelligence Manager, Sharissa Lightbourne and Chairman of the TCIAA, Dwayne Gardiner. Nikeva Ariza, Director of Corporate Affairs, Communications and Public Engagement was also in attendance.
The new flights are operated by Porter’s 132-seat Embraer E195-E2. The aircraft features a two-by-two seating configuration, meaning no middle seats for any passenger. Porter’s elevated onboard experience includes complimentary beer and wine served in glassware, premium Canadian snacks, and free, fast WiFi for every passenger.
To book your flight, visit www.flyporter.com.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (November 4th, 2026) – The Turks and Caicos Islands recorded its highest number of stayover arrivals for the third quarter of the year, with approximately 130,000 visitors welcomed between July and September, representing a three percent increase over the same period in 2025.
Preliminary figures from Experience Turks and Caicos show that the destination recorded 514,670 stayover arrivals for the first nine months of 2026, an increase of 25,048 visitors, or five percent, compared with the same period last year. Growth was recorded in every month from January through September, underscoring the destination’s continued appeal among travellers and the sustained demand for its tourism product.
Stay Over Arrivals by Quarter (2025/2026)
September closed the quarter on a positive note, with 20,204 stayover arrivals, seven percent more than the 18,795 recorded in September 2025. The year-to-date total of 514,670 is the highest number of stayover arrivals ever recorded for the January-to-September period.
Commenting on the record stayover arrivals, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly said: “These record arrivals are an encouraging achievement for the Turks and Caicos Islands and a reflection of the continued confidence visitors have in our destination. However, I’ve always maintained that the true measure of tourism’s success cannot simply be the number of visitors arriving on our shores. It must also be measured by the opportunities we create for our people.”
“Our vision is to build a stronger, higher-value tourism industry where Turks and Caicos Islanders are not simply employees, but entrepreneurs, business owners and active participants in the economic opportunities tourism creates. This is why our recent Community Connect meetings across the sister islands were so important. We want to engage directly with our communities, understand their challenges and ensure that as our tourism industry grows, the opportunities for our people grow alongside it. Ultimately, tourism must do more than bring people to our shores. It must improve the lives of the people who call these islands home.”
Cruise arrivals reflect return to regular itineraries
Cruise passenger arrivals at the Grand Turk Cruise Port followed a different trend during the first nine months of 2026, with figures reflecting a return to more typical cruise itineraries following an unusually strong period in 2025.
Last year, cruise lines added Grand Turk to their itineraries, resulting in exceptionally high passenger volumes and cruise calls. With itineraries returning to more regular patterns this year, cruise passenger arrivals declined year over year throughout the first nine months.
The destination received 62,095 cruise passengers in September, a 22 percent decrease from the 79,341 recorded in September 2025. From January through September, total cruise passenger arrivals stood at 838,533, compared with 1,016,532 during the same period last year, representing an 18 percent decline.
Cruise Arrivals by Quarter (2025/2026)
While the cruise figures reflect a normalisation from last year’s elevated numbers, the continued growth in stayover arrivals provides a positive indicator of the destination’s performance in its overnight visitor market.
It is projected that the month-on-month increases in stayover arrivals will continue into the upcoming winter season, especially with the additional airlift expected from new and existing gateways in Canada and the US.
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