Business View Caribbean l March 2023

94 competitor. Except for authorized private airport operation at Ambergris Cay and Pine Cay. Business View Magazine: What initiatives does the TCIAA engage in to help it achieve its mandate? Godfrey Smith: Our main focus as an authority is our goals, objectives, and ability to ingratiate ourselves into the country’s long-term plans. One of these long-term plans involves marketing the Turks and Caicos islands as an excellent alternative to other beach destinations like the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, and Jamaica. The authorities in these countries have similar mandates to facilitate passengers for the good of their country. This perspective represents what we consider competition, and all our efforts are directed towards maximizing passenger throughput to our airports, which is Business View Magazine: Regarding business partnerships, can you highlight any long-term partners that support your overall operations? Godfrey Smith: Our longest-term relationship is with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Turks and Caicos, which would be considered the authority’s parent organization. The Civil Aviation Department is split into two entities – the Civil Aviation Authority and the Airports Authority. That aside, BahamasAir is the longest-serving customer the authority has had due to a continuous, unbroken 50-year relationship. American Airlines is another long-standing customer, celebrating 30 years of continuous operations in Turks and Caicos last year. Other long-standing partners include power, telephone, utility, and water companies. Hotels represent other long-standing relationships, with most being more partners than customers due to their involvement in the various committees in which the authority also sits.