As a developing country, Trinidad and Tobago requires the infrastructure necessary to facilitate foreign direct investment and global business transactions including accommodation for private aircrafts. The Executive Jet Centre at Piarco presented the unique opportunity to repurpose an outdated facility while simultaneously meeting the operational demands of a burgeoning corporate sector.
Initially, the Executive Jet Centre was undertaken by UDeCOTT to ensure that the Piarco International Airport was equipped with amenities to meet the immediate term requirements for the Summit of the Americas in April 2009 and the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in November 2009. It was conceptualised to convert the old, non-operational South Terminal into a new functional executive Jet Centre.
The first phase comprised the demolition of existing structures and the construction of two-storey structures which incorporated three main entrances and exits with canopies, VIP and VVIP rooms, executive waiting room, refurbishment of existing structures and building of new hallways. These works were completed on April 7, 2009. The passenger-ready executive Jet Centre was handed over to the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago on April 13, 2009.
The second phase involved the rebuilding of additional offices and conference rooms in the main terminal hall and aesthetic works. These works commenced on June 1, 2009 and were completed on-schedule on august 31, 2009. The completed project was substantially approved by UDeCOTT on September 1, 2009 and handed over to the Airports Authority on October 12, 2009.
The completed new Executive Jet Centre incorporates customs and immigration checkpoints, offices, meeting rooms, change facilities and lunch-rooms for staff of the facility including the Airports Authority, Immigration, Customs, Traffic Index and the Organised Crime and Narcotics Unit (OCNU). It includes specially constructed Arms Inspection Room, Port Health Office and Detention Room. There are two full VIP, VVIP rooms meeting five-star standards with individual food preparation rooms. There are also two executive grade lounge rooms.
