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90 per cent of Private Flights STUCK as Congestion at PLS spills over

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By Deandrea Hamilton

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#TurksandCaicos, March 24, 2022 – It is indisputable; there is simply not enough space within the uncomfortable facility we call the Providenciales International Airport and not enough room on its extended tarmac either, but you don’t have to be directly at the PLS for the pressures and frustrations of the congestion due to thousands of travellers and over a dozen flights to adversely affect your travel plans.

While everyone agrees this is a time to celebrate, as the demand for the destination is at an all-time high, everyone we have interviewed also agrees the mismanagement of the boom is increasingly becoming a reputational risk threatening to derail the prosperity.

Private airports or Fixed Base Operators say the lack of planning and hours long bans on private aircraft into and out of Providenciales, is maddening and expensive.

“On weekends and particularly Saturdays with the TCIAA imposed ban on all General Aviation aircraft arrivals, many of our clients are made to wait on ground at their point of origin for many hours, some having their flights cancelled as the crew runs out of duty hours.”

Roger Murphy, General Manager, Blue Heron Aviation shared the impact on private air operations is significant and it is impacting the reputation of Turks and Caicos as a leading private jet destination.

TCI consistently ranks in the Top 3.

“The aircraft operators themselves (are) losing flights as the aircraft cannot make the turnarounds in a timely fashion.  So revenue is being lost all around and inconvenience to the top 15 per cent of the High Net Worth individuals coming to the TCI – we are concerned this will push the traffic to other less restrictive destinations.”

Veteran FBO operator Deborah Aharon, CEO of Provo Air Center shared similar sentiments, adding that it is costly, it is a negative strike on the country’s standings and it is also unsafe.

“Of the average 25 planes we have on Saturdays, only three or four of them manage to get in on schedule, and that’s if we’re lucky.  The airport NOTAM blocking private traffic between 12-5pm forces the private jets to try to get here before 12.  Most of them try to come between 11 and 12.  With so many flights expected at the same time, the FBOs have to use all their staff and start them early in the morning.”

Aharon said this solution however is still plagued by decisions local authorities cannot control.

“What happens next is that the FAA sees the potential congestion and institutes flow control, ie they only allow a few jets to depart for Provo at a time.  This means that the rest of our expected jets are delayed until the block is in effect, and now they can’t land until after 5pm.  With flow control still in effect, they start landing after five and continue far into the night.

This forces the FBOs and the tower to keep their staff on long past their usual time – costing money in overtime and ensuring that everybody is extremely tired.  It’s not safe or healthy,” said Aharon on Wednesday.

In two days, the heavy flow of guests through the Providenciales International Airport returns.  The guests are welcomed, the headache the lack of space at the facility creates is not and according to the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association, TCHTA this buoyancy continues throughout April.

“We are concerned in a big way, but we know that there are limitations to the existing structure.  We are optimistic that in working with the new CEO some agreeable solutions may be found to resolve the congestion,” said Stacy Cox, Executive Director of the TCHTA.

Godfrey Smith, new interim CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority joined the team mere months ago.  The problem at the airport is a legacy issue, and he says he is working to rectify it.  The TCIAA also admits to tough decisions related to the FBOs and their decision on the ban of private aircraft is driven by the fact that 96 per cent of guests arrive by commercial flights.

“The decision to put a small exclusive time frame to such air carriers (ONLY) had been implemented for Saturday afternoons to support the vast majority of passengers, taxi-cab operators, and hotel workers. Be clear on this matter, this restriction to FBO operations is for ONLY on SATURDAYS; and ONLY between 12 and 5PM; and is ONLY applied to INBOUND FBO operations. Also, for information TCIAA has been in discussions with FBOs on this matter and the decision is whether the greater impact of this very small window is to the majority visitors to TCI. The TCIAA has waived this this rule in many cases to accommodate FBOs when requested and appropriate,” informed a statement issued yesterday afternoon (March 23).

But for Provo Air Center, which has won numerous global and regional awards for service standards as an operator in destination Turks and Caicos, the fall out due to the private flight ban is a problem in need of equal attention and priority.

“Provo is one of the busiest destinations for private jet traffic in the Caribbean, and the majority of it is charter traffic, ie planes that are not actually owned by the visitors, just rented. Delaying charter flights costs the operators a lot of money – their pilots run out of duty hours while sitting on the ground and the operator has to scramble to find fresh pilots.  They can’t complete their drop off in Provo on time and proceed to their next scheduled job, and it has far reaching financial consequences.  That only needs to happen to them a few times before they learn to stop accepting charter requests to Provo.”

This weekend, it will be worse as Turks and Caicos goes from over 4,000 guests to 13,000 arrivals on Saturday and Sunday.

“TCIAA is well aware of the importance of save guarding our tourism product. The hard-working team at the Authority are diligently working each day to mitigate the current situation…” and it was reiterated, “… the airport in Providenciales is an important economic engine for the overall continued success of these islands. The Ministry, Board of Directors, Executives, the Management and staff of the TCIAA are fully aware of its importance, and all are working to give our visitors a better experience.”

It is expected a stakeholder meeting will happen before Saturday.

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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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