DECEMBER 7TH, 2018 – DECEMBER 14TH, 2018
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VOLUME 14 - NO. 49
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$40M WORLD CLASS AIRPORT TERMINAL By Todeline Defralien The proposed ultra-modern terminal at the Providenciales International Airport which is expected to cost as much as US$40 million, promises to be the best in the region. This is according to CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, John Smith, who conceded that the existing terminal at the Providenciales International Airport, which cost $10million, is already too small to accommodate the significant increase in passenger and airline traffic at the main gateway into the Turks and Caicos Islands. In recent years, several other Caribbean countries that are not as high-end as Turks and Caicos Islands, have invested heavily in modern airport expansions. These include The Bahamas, Antigua, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Haiti, St. Vincent and St. Lucia. Smith told The SUN in an exclusive interview that the new air terminal is absolutely necessary to facilitate the future development of the Turks and Caicos Islands booming tourism industry. “When we started to look at designs I would say that the design that we will have will be a design that leaves the others behind,” Smith said, adding that the existing terminal will be used for domestic and regional airlines. “The Airports Authority has always had a motto that we don’t follow,” Smith said. “The whole idea of having the new terminal is that the new terminal will be something that will be fitting reflective of a high-end destination. We’ve learned and continue to learn from the mistakes of others and we’re fortunate to have had a significant amount of experience that came to the table for us to be where we are but it is important that a terminal at any jurisdiction has aspects of it that reflects the culture and not only the culture but also the environment that it is catering for passengers.”
Seven Stars Community Foundation donates $15,000 to Provo SNAP Center In the midst of spreading Christmas Joy, Seven Stars Community Foundation presented a sum of $15,000 to Provo SNAP Center in aid of purchasing a Special Needs School Bus. The presentation ceremony took place at the annual SNAP Center Children’s
Smith noted that when the new terminal is completed, no one will feel cheated or feel as though they haven’t arrived at a high-end destination. “$40million is a fair bit of money to complete this project and when you consider what we are looking to do, it’s enough. It doesn’t take much money to put the structure up but when you start to deal with the inside, that’s where you spend a lot of money. The finish has to be a decent proper finish, the layout has to be decent, and the flow with the facilitation has to be great as well as amenities,” he explained to The SUN. Smith further noted that this is a long term investment; it is not short term and in terms of capacity and space it will be far better than other
Christmas Party hosted by Seven Stars Resort on Tuesday December 4th, 2018 at their located across from the Kewtown roundabout. Although an official date was not given the foundation is looking to purchase this school bus by early 2019.
Pictured is Yolander Forbes, Human Resources Director, Special Needs Teacher, Keisha-Ann Shaw, Grant Noble, General Manager of Seven Stars Resort & Spa, Megan Jolly H.R Administrative Assistant & Employee Welfare Coordinator, Ranekia Lightbourne and a student of SNAP Center.
destinations. He continued: “From a capacity standpoint that will be determined very much by what we call a level of service and because we are a million now we are looking to two-three million and we will design to that. It is going to be a fairly sizeable structure but a structure that will also cater to ease of expansion.” Smith stated that the airport will be completed from start to finish within18 months to two years, if not less. “I am not in a position to say when works will commence until I’ve had the opportunity to the dialogue with the board and the Premier. It has to start soon. We would have liked to start already and in my professional
view we are a little bit behind. It is a significant amount of work to be done and what is also a drive for us is all of the developments coming and we have to keep ahead of those. We will be the best in the region,” he said. Meantime, Smith that in the master plan there is no need for a taxiway at the airport. He said, “This is a 9,200 feet runway that accommodates a 777-200 direct flight where necessary. What drives a taxiway? Let me give you an example. Manchester to Gatwick they have one runway and they accommodate up to 37million passengers and we’re still under one million or just on a million. There is no absolute need for a taxiway. However, having said that, in the Continued on page 2