THA chief: More flights to Tobago soon

He said, “We have not lost one airline over the past two years.”

London was speaking at the formal opening of the new Airports Authority’s administration centre at the Crown Point International Airport in Tobago.

London said despite the travel industry worldwide taking a hit because of economic decline, British Airways, Condor and Monarch Airlines travelling out of the United Kingdom; Condor travelling out of Germany and Delta Airlines out of Washington DC, have all continued their services to Tobago.

He also said negotiations are in progress for international airlines to increase flights to Tobago.

He also said that domestic tourism on the air-bridge between Trinidad and Tobago continued to “provide a buffer during difficult times.”

According to London, research done by the THA showed that some 618,429 nationals travelled between the islands last year and spent more than tourists visiting the sister isle.

London said the new administration building will free up space at the arrival and departure lounges at the Crown Point Airport.

“Before this administration centre was occupied, everything and everybody was crowded in unsatisfactory conditions at the Crown Point International Terminal. There were overcrowded offices, long lines of frustrated travellers in the arrival and departure lounges, in baggage handling, in Customs as well as in Immigration.

“This administration centre has allowed the Tobago House of Assembly, in collaboration with the AATT, to vastly improve services and arrangements. We now have flexibility in accommodation at the Terminal Building.

“We now have space to comfortably accommodate passengers simultaneously from two wide-bodied aircraft.

“There is increased accommodation in arrival and departure halls, in Immigration and Customs as well as in baggage handling areas. This has allowed us opportunity to purchase a new conveyor-belt system to speed up the flow of passengers.

“Additionally, it has allowed us to provide modern and comfortable facilities for travellers on the air-bridge,” he said.