To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are taking steps to ensure that commercial flights to the Turks and Caicos Islands will be maintained at the current levels; and what impact they expect any changes to the number of commercial flights to have on the financial recovery of the Islands.

The Government confirmed in the White Paper “The Overseas Territories – Security, Success and Sustainability” published last year that we are committed to promoting the interests of the Turks and Caicos Islands with respect to international scheduled air services in recognition of the fact that air services are important to the economic development of the Islands. The Department for Transport leads on air services negotiations with foreign Governments and actively involves interested parties from the Turks and Caicos Islands, seeking to enhance the commercial opportunities available. Ultimately, however, it is for the airlines themselves to determine, in the light of market conditions, the number of commercial services they operate.