Tobago has officially opened the new East Terminal at A.N.R. Robinson International Airport, with commercial flight operations beginning on October 14, 2026. The facility expands passenger handling capacity and modernizes the island’s main air gateway as efforts continue to strengthen international connectivity and support tourism development.
The new terminal, located at Crown Point, was inaugurated on October 13, with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Tobago Chief Secretary Farley Augustine among the officials attending the ceremony. The opening marks the transition from a multi-year infrastructure project to operational use, following a period of testing and preparation.
The Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (AATT) confirmed that flight operations would move to the East Terminal on October 14. The facility now serves passengers travelling between Tobago and Trinidad, as well as those using international services.
A New Terminal Designed for Higher Passenger Capacity
The two-storey terminal covers approximately 25,500 square metres and has been designed to accommodate up to three million passengers annually, providing additional capacity for future traffic growth.
The building includes expanded check-in areas, self-service kiosks, an upgraded baggage handling system and passenger boarding bridges. Travellers also have access to new retail and dining facilities, premium lounges and dedicated passenger amenities.
Environmental features include energy-efficient lighting, solar installations and water-saving systems, reflecting an effort to incorporate sustainability measures into the airport’s infrastructure.
The Tobago Tourism Agency has highlighted nine departure gates in its description of the facility, although subsequent reporting on the opening has referred to seven. The annual capacity figure represents the terminal’s design capability rather than current passenger traffic.
Caribbean Airlines Transfers Operations to the New Terminal
Caribbean Airlines moved its Tobago operations to the East Terminal on October 14, with flights scheduled to use the facility from 5:45 a.m. The airline also relocated its reservation and ticketing services, consolidating passenger operations within the new building.
A centralized security screening checkpoint now serves departing passengers, including those travelling on domestic services between Trinidad and Tobago.
The transition followed operational preparations involving airport authorities, airlines, immigration, customs, security personnel and ground-handling stakeholders. These arrangements were intended to ensure that passenger processing, baggage systems and other essential services could function when the terminal entered commercial operation.
The opening therefore represents more than the completion of a building project: it establishes a new operating environment for airlines, service providers and airport users.
Tobago Looks to Strengthen International Air Links
The terminal’s opening comes as Tobago seeks to improve direct access to international markets. Caribbean Airlines announced a new weekly nonstop service between Tobago and Toronto Pearson International Airport, scheduled to begin on October 25, 2026.
Operating on Sundays, the connection provides a direct link with Canada, an important visitor market for the island. The service forms part of the airline’s broader network expansion, although it was announced independently of the terminal’s inauguration.
For Tobago’s tourism and aviation sectors, the investment creates additional infrastructure capacity to support future airline services. However, converting that capacity into sustained traffic growth will depend on route development, airline partnerships and passenger demand.
Attention is also turning to the future of the former terminal. Tobago Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has raised the possibility of repurposing the facility for private aviation, air cargo and aviation training, subject to further decisions.
The immediate priority is now to establish reliable operations at the new terminal while translating improved infrastructure into greater air connectivity and economic opportunities for Tobago.
Source : Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
FAQ
When did Tobago’s new airport terminal open?
The East Terminal at A.N.R. Robinson International Airport was inaugurated on October 13, 2026, and began commercial flight operations on October 14.
How many passengers can the new terminal accommodate?
The facility has a design capacity of up to three million passengers annually.
Which airline operates from the new terminal?
Caribbean Airlines transferred its Tobago flight operations to the new East Terminal on October 14, 2026.
