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Norman B. Saunders Airport ready for flights, TCIAA issues statement to explain delay in AA launch 

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Deandrea Hamilton

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Turks and Caicos, February 16, 2025  – The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority said, despite a media report to the contrary, it is ready to take on international flights in South Caicos.

“The TCIAA is excited about the potential for expanded air service to South Caicos and is actively working with airlines to facilitate this growth. We are confident that Norman B. Saunders International Airport is prepared to welcome all international flights authorised by their respective state regulators,” said a statement obtained by Magnetic Media.

It followed widespread concern about the reported set back which could hinder the buoyancy of the South Caicos economy and stymie its potential as a leading regional vacation destination.

The online report focused on the delay in the start of international flights into the country’s fishing capital, it would have been the first regular direct flights for the islands in decades.

American Airlines informed the Miami Herald that the flight – originally set to start on Valentine’s Weekend – was pushed back, now due to launch in March instead.  The TCIAA corroborated the timeline but said the reason was due to a lack of approvals.

“The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has noted a recent media report with wide circulation regarding American Airlines’ rescheduled inaugural flight between Miami and South Caicos, now tentatively set for 29th March 2025.

This report incorrectly suggests that the Norman B. Saunders International Airport is not approved for international commercial service.

The TCIAA wishes to clarify that the Norman B. Saunders International Airport in South Caicos holds approvals from both UK and local regulators for Tier 1 Operations. This designation authorizes the airport to accommodate international commercial flights.”

The inspection still has to happen, even as South Caicos is on the cusp of an incredible season.

In 2021, Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, former TCI premier heralded a re-birth for South Caicos during a groundbreaking of the airport.  The terminal, completed, officially opened and renamed in May 2024 by Washington Misick, successive (and current) premier of the British overseas territory echoed a similar sentiment.

Both leaders had forecast that the expanded capacity for South Caicos would revive a once held distinction as being an economic mecca for the Turks and Caicos.

Two months later, in July 2024, the announcement came from Experience Turks and Caicos that American Airlines would operate two flights per week from Miami to the Norman B. Saunders airport, (XSC) beginning February 15, 2025.

“This new service aligns perfectly with our policy vision to diversify the tourism offering and ensure that each island within the Turks and Caicos Islands benefits from the tourism industry,” said Alvin Hegner, Chairman of Experience Turks and Caicos.

“South Caicos is our fishing capital but it is also full of history. From the Salinas, a reminder of the sea salt industry that the Turks and Caicos once depended on to Cockburn Town where Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh visited on the Royal Yacht Britannia, visitors can take day tours to learn about the history or take in sights such as the Boiling Hole, an underwater passage that connects the ocean to the main salina pond.  There are countless marine activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, bone-fishing and a range of activities year-round such as the highly anticipated South Caicos Regatta. We recently appointed a local representative to South Caicos to assist in the enhancement and development of the Big South and I am certain the community will benefit from all of these new developments,” he said.

The TCIAA said they have done everything needed to ensure this vision for South Caicos does not fall flat, and beyond their international approvals, there are airline standards which still have to be met.

“While the airport is fully capable of supporting such operations, some airlines, including U.S.-based carriers, require an inspection and certification by their respective national regulatory bodies before commending service to a new destination.

This regulatory process is specific to the airline, their national regulator and the time within which their national regulator can complete their inspection and certification process, and is separate from the airport’s existing international operating approvals and should not be misconstrued as a limitation on the airport’s ability to welcome international flights.”

The two-hour twenty minute flights, twice weekly, are now tentatively set for take off on March 29, 2025.

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Invest TCI Strengthens Regional Investment Connections at Caribbean Investment Forum 2026 in Barbados

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 19th October 2026: Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Invest TCI) strengthened its regional presence at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2026, held October 5 – 7, 2026, in Bridgetown, Barbados, participating as both a sponsor of the Forum and representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ investment landscape.

The Caribbean Investment Forum brought together regional and international investors, government representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investment promotion agencies, and development partners to explore investment opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and advance sustainable economic development throughout the Caribbean.

The Agency’s sponsorship of CIF 2026 formed part of its continued commitment to strengthening the visibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands within the regional investment community and building relationships with investors, development partners, investment promotion agencies, and businesses across the Caribbean.

The opening of the Forum was attended by the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who emphasised the importance of scaling regional investment, strengthening economic cooperation, and transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable opportunities. Invest TCI was represented by Ms. Alexa Cooper, Domestic Investment Officer, and Mr. Hezron Henry, Marketing Support Officer. Throughout the Forum, the delegation engaged with stakeholders and promoted the Turks and Caicos Islands as a competitive investment destination while exploring opportunities for greater regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Speaking on her experience at the Forum, Ms. Alexa Cooper, Chief Domestic Investment Officer, said:

“CIF 2026 provided another valuable opportunity to engage with donor organisations, investors and Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from across the Caribbean. A highlight for me was the introduction of an exclusive masterclass for fund managers, investors and support organisations, which offered practical insights into unlocking capital, strengthening investment ecosystems and supporting investment-ready businesses. I was equally impressed with the quality of projects pitched, which showcased the region’s innovation and investment potential. It was encouraging to see projects presented with a clearer understanding of investor expectations, reinforcing the importance of not simply developing projects, but ensuring they are well-structured, investment-ready and positioned to attract the right investment partners.”

Accompanying the Invest TCI delegation was Mr. Sean Penn, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Poultry Farm Ltd., the first commercial egg and poultry production facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Penn’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase the development of domestic enterprise within the Turks and Caicos Islands while highlighting the potential of agriculture and food production as part of the country’s broader economic diversification efforts.

Through his participation at CIF 2026, Mr. Penn had the opportunity to engage with regional stakeholders, gain exposure to developments within the Caribbean agricultural sector, and explore potential partnerships and opportunities related to agricultural investment, innovation, and enterprise development.

For Invest TCI, the combination of sponsorship, investment promotion and local business representation provided a multifaceted platform to advance the Agency’s mandate. It allowed Invest TCI not only to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands to prospective investors but also to facilitate greater exposure for a local enterprise operating within an emerging sector of the economy. The Forum also provided opportunities for the Invest TCI delegation to exchange knowledge with regional counterparts, strengthen institutional relationships, and gain insight into investment trends and opportunities affecting Caribbean economies.

As the Caribbean Investment Forum continues to expand its regional reach, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was announced as the destination for the next edition of the Forum, providing another opportunity to bring together investors, policymakers, investment promotion agencies and businesses from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Invest TCI looks forward to the continued growth of the Caribbean Investment Forum and the opportunities it creates to deepen regional partnerships, promote investment, and connect Caribbean businesses with new markets and sources of capital. The Agency remains committed to attracting sustainable investment, supporting domestic enterprise, encouraging economic diversification, and developing partnerships that contribute to the long-term economic development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Bahamas News

Energy Minister Delivers Electrifying Keynote Opening Address at CAREC 2026  

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NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas’ Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, delivered an electrifying address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference and Exhibition, being held October 18–22, 2026, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Under the theme “Empowering Progress: Strategic Policy and Planning for the Energy Transition,” the event draws more than 200 industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and energy professionals committed to advancing practical strategies for sustainable and reliable Caribbean power systems through renewable energy and emerging technologies.

During her address, titled “The New Energy Era: Transforming Policy into Progress,” Minister Coleby-Davis reminded attendees that The Bahamas’ national motto, “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together,” aptly describes what the region’s energy transition demands.

“Empowering Progress speaks directly to our national motto. Not waiting for progress, but creating the conditions that allow progress to happen. Meaningful progress, however, does not occur by accident. It requires vision, sound policy, strategic planning, strong institutions, and the determination to turn decisions into results,” said Minister Coleby-Davis.

Participants acknowledged that small island developing states share similar pressures, compounded by geographical challenges, small electricity markets, ageing infrastructure, geopolitical influences, and the growing threat of severe weather.

Tasked with ushering in a new energy era across the islands while addressing the challenges posed by The Bahamas’ unique archipelagic composition, Minister Coleby-Davis said, “Every island needs a different answer, but the same logic. As an archipelagic nation, we must provide electricity across many islands, each with its own demand and infrastructure needs. Our strategy, therefore, must be national in direction, but responsive to individual communities.”

Restating her Ministry’s three core messages—that energy is an economic and security priority, technology must be viewed as a tool to support strong institutional leadership, and natural gas should be considered a bridge, not a destination—Minister Coleby-Davis reiterated that “progress must now be reflected in functioning infrastructure, effective institutions, and better electricity services: from policy commitments to coordinated implementation, and from fragmented investment decisions to long-term planning.”

Organised by CARILEC and co-hosted by Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), the annual Conference and Exhibition brings together the Caribbean energy community to advance practical solutions to the region’s most pressing energy challenges and accelerate progress towards more resilient, reliable, and sustainable power systems.

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Bahamas News

Monument Supports Hands for Hunger With Paradise Plates Debut  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ leading wine and spirits distributor, proudly supported Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger annual fundraiser with a flavorful offering of its newest product, Monument Beverage Co.

Monument, which launched this July and is available across six major islands, made its Paradise Plates debut. Guests enjoyed three bold flavors: Peach Passion, Ginger-Lime and Melon Fizz as they socialized throughout the evening.

Monument brand ambassadors engaged guests with knowledge on the ready-to-drink beverage’s unique taste and look. Many attendees were delighted to learn that Monument is 100% Bahamian-made and owned and enjoyed seeing the various national landmarks on the packaging.

The booth was adorned with vibrant brand colors, striped arches, tropical florals and a photo worthy backdrop featuring Monument cans filled with florals cascading down the wall.

At the end of the event, the entire Monument inventory had finished, making Monument’s Paradise Plates debut a huge success.

For more details on Caribbean Wines & Spirits, new products and specials, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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