Providenciales International Airport expansion 85% completed

Officials from TCI Airports Authority (TCIAA) confirmed on Thursday (July 31) that 85 percent of the airport expansion is completed and is on schedule for a winter 2014 grand debut.

July has been momentous for the TCIAA terminal redevelopment project.

The Airports Authority and Dolmen have been able to breathe new life into some of the renovated space and open more usable space to enhance passenger facilitation.

In early July the old security check point was closed off for construction and passengers have been redirected to a partially completed departure lounge and new security check point.

Lavern Skippings, terminal and marketing manager for TCI Airports Authority, said that the departure lounge will continue to expand as walls are in the process of being removed to further open up the floor space.

"A staircase and floor lift will be installed to take passengers to the second level of the departure lounge which has not yet been made available and is still under construction.

"Passengers are able to access the newly constructed bathroom facility inside of the departure lounge and for the first time, have access to handicapped stalls inside of the lounge."

She said that their first renovated retailer Jai's has now been relocated and is open for business.

Other retailers are on schedule to occupy their new store location within the coming weeks.

The international arrivals hall has seen a facelift, as offices for the Customs Department, police and Immigration Department have been relocated within the newly constructed building.

The old offices have been demolished and the floor space will form a part of the extended immigration line up.

The transition will allow for wider queues for the immigration officers and more space for passengers to be reunited with their luggage from the two impending luggage belts.

The customs hall now has more space to process passengers and newly constructed bathrooms are available inside of the baggage hall to service passengers upon exit.

Passengers can freely flow to the curb-side to be greeted and transported to their destination via taxi or mode of transportation of their choosing.

Construction works will continue in the new domestic area, the upper departure lounge, the roadway and overall finishing works will ensue.

The TCIAA is a statutory body that was established in 2006 following the split of the Civil Aviation Department into the Civil Aviation Authority and Airports Authority.

It is mandated for the constructing, controlling and managing of airports, providing and maintaining runways, taxiways and terminals for the efficient operation of airports, providing facilities for customs and immigration services, and health and security checks, and for incidental and connected purposes.

- Source:  http://tcweeklynews.com