Providenciales International Airport
Also known as: PLS Airport, Turks and Caicos Airport, Providenciales Airport, Howard Hamilton International Airport.
Private transfer from PLSSee pricesSee pricesAbout Providenciales International Airport
Providenciales International Airport (PLS) serves the island of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory. It handles more than 90% of the country's air traffic, about 1.4 million passengers in 2023. In 2023 it was renamed Howard Hamilton International Airport, but the original name remains in common use.
Most flights come from the United States with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Sun Country Airlines, and from Canada with Air Canada and WestJet. British Airways flies from London Heathrow. InterCaribbean Airways and Caicos Express Airways link PLS with Grand Turk, South Caicos, the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
There is one terminal building, with a shared check-in hall, five international gates and one domestic gate. A single runway of about 2,800 meters serves the airport.
The airport sits in the middle of Providenciales, about 7 miles (11 km) from the resorts of Grace Bay Beach, a drive of 20 to 30 minutes. From here, most travelers head to Grace Bay, with others going on to Grand Turk or South Caicos on domestic flights.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA)
- Passengers per year
About 1.4 million in 2023
- Runway
One runway, 10/28, about 2,807 m (9,209 ft)
- Opening hours
6 am to 8 pm, including customs and immigration
- Official name
Renamed Howard Hamilton International Airport in 2023
Arrival tips for Providenciales International Airport
On arrival you show a valid passport and a valid onward or return ticket, along with the paper immigration form your airline hands out on board; fill it in with black or blue ink, as home-printed copies are not accepted. The immigration hall has 18 desks, and lines are longest on Saturdays and Sundays.
Bags arrive on two belts just past immigration. A customs form is only needed if you carry goods above the duty-free allowance, and officers hand it out at customs.
Outside the terminal, taxis wait at the curb. Most are large vans that run shared rides, and drivers often wait to fill the van, which can take 5 to 15 minutes. Pre-booked private drivers usually meet guests directly outside the arrivals exit. There is no public bus service, and Uber and Lyft do not operate in the islands.
The weather is warm and sunny most of the year. Turks and Caicos uses Eastern Time with daylight saving time, and the currency is the US dollar.
Ground transportation
Most visitors take a shared taxi van or a pre-arranged transfer, since there are no buses or rideshare apps.
Compare providers for your exact address
Enter your hotel to see the price and every provider serving it.
Book a transfer from PLSTaxi from Providenciales airport
Taxis wait outside the terminal and are usually vans that carry several parties on shared rides. The ride to Grace Bay takes 20 to 30 minutes, but you may wait 5 to 15 minutes for the van to fill.
Private transfer
Pre-booked private drivers meet guests directly outside the arrivals terminal and go straight to your hotel or villa. It avoids waiting for a shared van but must be arranged ahead.
Resort shuttle
Some resorts run their own shuttles for guests, which must be scheduled in advance with the hotel.
Car rental
Some rental companies keep cars in the airport parking lot, while others take you by shuttle to an offsite office, which adds time. Traffic drives on the left.
Terminals
Main Terminal
Handles all international and domestic flights from a shared check-in hall, with five international gates and one domestic gate. Arrivals use an immigration hall with 18 desks and two baggage belts.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Air Canada, American Airlines, Bahamasair, British Airways, Caicos Express Airways, Delta Air Lines, InterCaribbean Airways, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Sunrise Airways, United Airlines, WestJet
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Providenciales airport from Grace Bay?
Providenciales International Airport is about 7 miles (11 km) from the resorts of Grace Bay Beach. The drive usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. Shared taxi vans can add a short wait at the airport while the driver fills the van, so allow a little extra time when planning your arrival.
Where is Providenciales International Airport?
The airport is in the middle of Providenciales, one of the main islands of the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory. It is the main gateway to the country and handles more than 90% of its air traffic. The resorts of Grace Bay Beach are about 7 miles away, a drive of 20 to 30 minutes.
How many terminals does Providenciales airport have?
Providenciales International Airport has one terminal building. All airlines share a single check-in hall, and there are no satellite terminals. The terminal has five gates for international flights and one gate for domestic flights to islands such as Grand Turk and South Caicos, so you never need to change terminals.
Which airlines fly to Providenciales?
Main airlines include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet and British Airways. InterCaribbean Airways and Caicos Express Airways fly to other Turks and Caicos islands and to nearby Caribbean countries. All flights use the airport's single terminal.
How do taxis work at Providenciales airport?
Taxis wait outside the terminal and are usually large vans rather than cars. They generally run as shared rides, carrying several groups heading in the same direction, and the driver may wait 5 to 15 minutes to fill the van. A private taxi for your group alone is also possible.
Is there public transport from Providenciales airport?
No. There is no public bus service on Providenciales or on any other island in Turks and Caicos. Travelers leaving the airport use shared taxi vans, private transfers, resort shuttles or rental cars. Some resorts run their own buses for guests, which must be booked with the hotel.
Can I use Uber or Lyft in Turks and Caicos?
No. Uber and Lyft do not operate in Turks and Caicos. The local Conch Cab service has been suspended and was never allowed to pick up at the airport. From Providenciales International Airport, use a taxi van, a pre-arranged transfer or a rental car instead.
What do I need to enter Turks and Caicos?
Visitors need a valid passport and a valid onward or return ticket. US, UK and Canadian passports must be valid for the length of the stay, while other nationalities need six months of validity. Many nationalities need no visa. Fill in the airline's paper immigration form in black or blue ink.
How long does it take to get from Providenciales airport to Grace Bay resorts?
The drive from the airport to the Grace Bay resorts usually takes 20 to 30 minutes over about 7 miles (11 km). Shared taxi vans may stop at several hotels along Grace Bay, which can make the trip longer than a direct private transfer or a drive in a rental car.
Can I fly from Providenciales to other Turks and Caicos islands?
Yes. InterCaribbean Airways and Caicos Express Airways fly from Providenciales to Grand Turk and South Caicos. These domestic flights leave from the domestic gate of the same terminal used by international flights, so you can connect without changing buildings. Check schedules ahead, as frequencies vary by day.
What time zone and currency does Turks and Caicos use?
Turks and Caicos uses Eastern Time and observes daylight saving time, so clocks match the eastern United States. The official currency is the US dollar. The weather is warm and sunny for most of the year, and the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November.
Who operates Providenciales International Airport and how busy is it?
The airport is operated by the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, created in 2006 to manage the islands' state-owned airports. It handled about 1.4 million passengers in 2023. The airport is open from 6 am to 8 pm, the same hours as customs and immigration.