The ANR Robinson International Airport was previously known as Crown Point Airport. Credit: Bgabel at wikivoyage shared.
The contract signing ceremony for the ANR Robinson International Airport expansion project was held in January 2020. Credit: Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
ANR Robinson International Airport awarded a five-year advertising contract to Clear Channel Airports (CCA) in November 2019. Credit: Clear Channel Airports.

ANR Robinson International Airport in Crown Point, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago, is undergoing a major expansion to boost the tourism industry in the country. The airport is owned by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and operated by the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (ATCEN), a government airport management agency.

With an investment of TTD870m ($128.5m), the expansion is expected to be completed in 2022. The expansion of the Trinidad and Tobago airport will boost private investment in Tobago due to improved transport links.

The project is focused on delivering upgrades and improvements to the airport facilities and services while supporting the economy of the country. A new terminal being developed as part of the international airport’s expansion is anticipated to contribute to an increase in air travel services to Tobago. It will also enhance the capacity of flights to and from Tobago and generate more jobs in the tourism sector.

The expansion will facilitate more direct flights between the island and New York, Orlando, Houston, Miami, Newark, and Fort Lauderdale in the US.

ANR Robinson International Airport location and expansion details

The international airport is located at the south-western tip of the Island of Tobago, approximately 13km from Scarborough, the capital city of Tobago. The location is close to various major sites and attractions on the island.

The project involves the construction of a new, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified passenger terminal area for domestic and international operations. It also includes the expansion of the tarmac and construction of a new car park, taxiway, apron, and ramp. A new road will provide access to the new terminal building from the Shirvan Road intersection to the Claude Noel Highway.

The expansion is guided by key objectives such as minimising environmental impact and ensuring sustainability.

New terminal building

The new passenger terminal is being built east of the existing ATC tower area to accommodate three million passengers a year. Interim facilities are being developed in the existing terminal’s domestic operations area to improve services and continue operations until the new terminal is operational.

Construction

The expansion project is being implemented in two phases. Phase one involves the construction of a new terminal building and associated works while the second phase involves the construction of a new airport access road.

Other developments at the airport

The ANR international airport has been continuously upgraded to maintain international standards. A new first-class lounge was built in 2015 along with other renovations. The lounge development project involved new and renovation works to the upper level of the airport.

An in-transit area was added to the existing Departure Terminal along with a new enclosed area for the luggage carousel. The existing terminal building at the airport was renovated and modified in June 2016.

ANR Robinson International Airport background

Previously known as the Crown Point International Airport, the airport was renamed as the Arthur Napoleon Raymond (ANR) Robinson International Airport after Trinidad and Tobago’s former prime minister ANR Robinson in 2011. Opened in December 1940, the airport is served by five international airlines.

The ongoing expansion will reduce the pressure caused by the rising traffic growth on the existing infrastructure.

Key players and contractors involved

The National Infrastructure and Development Company (NIDCO) is responsible to supervise and manage the development of the airport terminal building and associated airside and landside works at the ANR Robinson International Airport. ACQ & Associates, a land acquisition consultant specialist, assisted NIDCO in the land acquisition process for the project.

China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Company was selected as the contractor for the airport expansion project. The Development Bank of Latin America agreed to fund the expansion project and provide technical assistance to the main contractor.