The Providenciales Airport, which is the international gateway for the Turks and Caicos Islands, was closed down unexpectedly at around 11:00 am on Tuesday, grounding three flights that were scheduled to depart.
According to John Smith, who heads the Airport Authority, the closing was a safety precaution when it was discovered that repairs to the runway surface were not bonding properly.
The repairs were being performed as a preliminary measure in anticipation of resurfacing, which is scheduled to occur soon. This resurfacing will coincide with the overlay pavement being applied to the new runway extension. The runway extension construction is reportedly running ahead of schedule.
Smith advised that the repairs were underway and he anticipated reopening the airport at 8 pm Tuesday evening.
“In all a total of six flights may be affected,” Smith said
An earlier report of a mechanical condition in relation to the earlier takeoff of an American Airlines flight, causing some runway damage, was found to be totally without basis.
