Providenciales International Airport (PLS)
Airport Road, Providenciales
The Providenciales International Airport is the primary airport in the Turks and Caicos. All scheduled international flights to the country land at this gateway, with the exception of a Miami—South Caicos (XSC) flight via American Airlines.
The island of Provo welcomes flights from over two dozen international cities, including London, New York, Washington DC, Miami, Toronto, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.
Several international airlines fly to the Turks and Caicos, including British Airways, American Airlines, United, Air Canada, Delta, Jet Blue, West Jet, and interCaribbean. All airlines share a general ticketing and check-in hall. There are no satellite terminals.
The Providenciales Airport IATA code is PLS and the ICAO code is MBPV.
The airport has been nominally renamed the Howard Hamilton International Airport, however the name Providenciales International Airport remains the dominant name used. Howard Hamilton was a local entrepreneur who founded one of the first local airlines in the Turks and Caicos.
| Providenciales International Airport Facts | |
| Airport Code | IATA: PLS, ICAO: MBPV |
| Runway Length | 9,199 feet (2,804 m) |
| Elevation | 15 feet (5 m) |
| Runway Direction | 10/28 |
| Clearance Status | International Entry |
| Car Parking | $2 per hour, $25 per day |
Check-In Info
Most airlines recommend arriving at least two hours before international flights. For domestic flights, 45 minutes is sufficient.
Due to overcrowding at the airport (there has been a large increase in flights over the last decade, with a small increase in terminal space), the Airports Authority requests that all passengers arrive only two hours before their flight.
Saturday and Sunday Flights
Give yourself additional time to check in on Saturday and Sunday. There is a high number of flights on these days and this can lead to delays at check-in and security.
Airport Fast Track
An airport Fast Track concierge service is available at additional cost and allows guests to bypass the queues at Immigration and Customs on arrival, and check-in and security at departure. Several different Fast Track packages are offered, and prices start at $75 per person (2025 price).
Immigration, Passport & Customs Information
You’ll need to clear immigration and collect your baggage before proceeding through customs. Unlike in some other Caribbean airports (such as Lynden Pindling International Airport at Nassau), there are no pre-clearance facilities operated by the US Customs and Border Protection for US nationals returning home. There are also no dedicated family lanes.
Immigration clearance can be over an hour depending on the day and time of your arrival.
The Providenciales International Airport is a relatively small facility and only has two baggage carousels. While the carousels are assigned to specific airlines, bags are often deposited on the wrong belt. Luggage is not typically delivered any faster than at the average US airport, despite the airport's small size. Customs, however, is generally efficient.
Luggage carts are free to use, and there are porters onsite.
Terminal Facilities and Services
There is one departure lounge each for international and domestic flights. The international lounge can become crowded at times, but plans are underway for expansion.
The check-in hall features an open-air design, and has both traditional check-in counters with staff and automated kiosks for some of the major airlines.
Before the international security checkpoint, there are resin copies of the stones from the Sapodilla Bay Hill Rock Carvings.
The international departure lounge features two levels, and seating is found in both areas. The upper level also offers an outdoor viewing deck, additional seating, a bar serving food, and a few trinket shops, as well as a private non-affiliated VIP and first-class lounge you can pay to use. There are no lounges that are affiliated with credit cards or rewards programs (such as the American Express Lounge, the Admirals Club, the Maple Leaf Lounge, or the Chase Sapphire Club Lounge) at the Providenciales International Airport.
Beware that the clock on the airport's Flight Information Display Systems (FIDS) is often wrong.
Internet
The departure lounge is covered by a complimentary Flow Wi-Fi hot spot. Unfortunately, the connection doesn’t always function, and is often poor when it is operational.
Shopping and Eating
The food options at the Providenciales International Airport are limited to a pre-made sandwiches kiosk and two eateries serving bar food (such as wings, burgers, and fries). A restaurant, Gilly’s Restaurant, is found outside the security checkpoint in the main terminal. Gilly’s Café, a small bar that also serves food, is located on the upper level of the international departure lounge.
Several gift, souvenir, duty-free, and jewelry shops are located on the lower level of the departure lounge. There's also a kiosk for Turkberry, a popular local frozen yogurt shop.
Some of the souvenir and snack shops don't display prices, and prices can be high. If a price isn't displayed, that's typically a sign that an item may be overpriced.
Currency Exchange
There is no Bureau de Change at the airport. You are advised to exchange currency before you arrive. Currency can be exchanged at local banks, but the fees are exorbitant and queues can be over an hour for service.
Lost and Found
To contact the Providenciales International Airport regarding lost and found items, please call airport security at +1 (649) 941-4380, or contact the Turks and Caicos Airport Authority at +1 (649) 946-4420, and ask to be transferred to the security desk.
Ground Transportation and Taxis
Taxis and cars (both private and rental) are the only forms of ground transportation from the airport.
Taxis are available directly outside the baggage claim area. We advise you to confirm your fare (total for all passengers) before setting off. There are fixed fares as set in the ordinance (and often posted by other information sources), but these are not always respected.
We recommend that most visitors rent a car because of the lack of public transportation. Find out more at Getting Around Providenciales, Providenciales Car Rentals, and Driving in the Turks and Caicos. See Providenciales Taxis for more information on taxi fares, stands, and availability.
Some accommodations, such as vacation rental villas, offer complimentary airport pick-up and drop-off.
Transport from the Providenciales Airport to Grace Bay
Grace Bay is home to the majority of resorts, hotels, and restaurants on Providenciales. This region of Providenciales is about a 10-minute journey by car from the airport.
In the case of visitors picking up a rental car at the airport (recommended), it’s not difficult finding Grace Bay. Simply follow Leeward Highway from the Downtown area to its conclusion at the Gateway to Grace Bay roundabout, and follow the short Allegro Road to the center of Grace Bay.
Taxi fares for two people typically cost $28–34. Be aware that taxis may multiply the fare by the number of passengers, so clarify the total rate for your party before embarking.
Airport Transport Businesses
Parking
Parking fees are on par with major international airports such as London Heathrow and Miami International Airport. It is illegal to leave cars unattended at the curbside.
The small car park is located a short distance from the terminal, which does become full at times. As usual, don’t leave any valuables in your car, as there isn't security personnel stationed at the car park.
The Providenciales Airport Authority has recently begun the practice of towing and clamping improperly-parked vehicles. We advise against leaving a car unattended for any length of time outside of the car park.
| Airport Parking Fees | |
| Hour (or part) | $2 |
| Day | $25 |
| Week | $175 |
)
Arrivals
Departures
Redevelopment of New Terminal Canceled
A multi-year-long project to redevelop the Providenciales International Airport was abruptly canceled by the Government in December 2025. The proposed project included a new terminal (with jet bridges), a parallel aircraft taxiway, and additional elements to increase capacity for the next 30 years. The administration has not provided any substantial reason for the project cancellation.
Recent Improvements
The Government still plans to make interim improvements to the airport, such as expanding the Arrivals hall. The Departures hall was expanded in recent years, and an airside walkway canopy was built to provide shade for arriving and departing passengers.
Private Aircraft and Fixed Base Operators
For information on traveling by private plane, see Turks and Caicos FBOs and Private Planes.
There are three FBOs on Providenciales, and these full-service facilities cater to luxury and commercial aviation.