AN improved ‘world class’ airport is set to open on a Caribbean island next year.
Tobago, an island in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, was named as one of Lonely Planet’s Best Destinations to Travel to in 2025.
The island’s airport – ANR Robinson International Airport- currently has UK flights, with British Airways flying twice a week.
And next year, it is opening it’s huge new renovation.
Estimated to have cost around $130million (£100million), the expansion includes a new terminal with space for three million passengers a year, three times the current airport capacity.
Larger retail outlets and restaurants, as well as newer improved airport security are also part of the renovation.
The renovation is set to open by March 2025.
Couva North MP Ravi Ratiram said back in September: “The new airport terminal building and associated infrastructure works project is at this time 74 per cent complete.
“The project has been delayed, bits and pieces with respect to amendments and adjustments. I think it was affected by Covid as well, but the bottom line is, we are well on schedule now.”
The airport first opened in the 1940s although has been expanded since 2004.
Only British Airways has direct international flights from the UK.
The other airlines operating from the airport are Caribbean Airlines, with flights to Port of Spain, New York and Barbados, with Condor having seasonal routes to Frankfurt.
And Tobago is increasingly becoming a holiday destination for Brits, thanks to the direct UK flights with British Airways.
From 2022 to 2023, there was a 32 per cent increase in UK tourists visiting the island.
The island is just 25 miles long and seven miles wide, but has some amazing stretches of sandy beaches.
There is Turtle Beach, where you can see leatherback turtles or visit the UNESCO-listed Main Ridge Forest Reserve, the oldest forest conservation area in the western hemisphere.
There is even ‘Nylon Pool,’ a shallow coral pool named by Princess Margaret on her honeymoon because the water was as clear as her nylon stockings.
British Airways holidays can be found for £788pp with return UK flights, seven hotel nights and daily breakfast.
Tobago isn’t the only Caribbean island getting a new airport.
Dominica, different from the Dominican Republic, has revealed plans for a ew XCD$1billion (£292million) airport to welcome international flights.
Brits currently have to fly to the island via St Lucia, taking 15 hours.
And Barbuda has opened a new $14million (£10.8million) international airport.
Known for its pink sand beach, it hopes to open up to international commercial flights, currently only operating private jets.
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While not in the Caribbean, the island of Bali could soon open a second international airport in the northern region.
With record numbers visiting the island, the second airport hopes to both ease congestion at the current airport and encourage tourism to other parts or Bali.
