The Bahamas' International Gateway: Airports And Access

The Bahamas is an archipelago of over 700 islands, attracting tourists with its magnificent scenery and activities like snorkelling and scuba diving. With 24 international airports, the Bahamas has excellent connectivity, making it one of the best countries to visit worldwide. The Lynden Pindling International Airport, formerly known as Nassau International Airport, is the largest airport in the Bahamas and the primary international gateway to the country. It is located near the capital city of Nassau on the western New Providence Island. The Grand Bahama International Airport is another prominent airport, offering US Border Preclearance Facilities. Marsh Harbour Airport, also known as Leonard M. Thompson International Airport, serves travellers to Marsh Harbour on the Abaco Islands. Other notable airports include Treasure Cay Airport, North Eleuthera Airport, South Bimini Airport, and Exuma International Airport.

Lynden Pindling International Airport

During World War II, the airport was a Royal Air Force (RAF) station known as Windsor Field. It served as a base for delivering US-built fighter and bomber aircraft to North Africa and Europe. After the war, it reverted to civilian use, and in 1957, Nassau International Airport began operations at the site. In 2006, the airport's name was officially changed to honour Pindling, who led the country to majority rule in 1967 and full independence from the United Kingdom within the British Commonwealth in 1973.

With over 3 million passengers and 80,000 takeoffs and landings annually, the airport underwent redevelopment in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The project expanded terminal capacity, improved facilities, and added new gates capable of accommodating large aircraft like the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380. The airport now features 10 jet bridge-capable gates, an additional 1 million square feet of operating surface, and enhanced shopping and dining options for travellers.

Grand Bahama International Airport

The Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA) is located in Freeport, The Bahamas. It is one of the two airports in the Bahamas with US Border Preclearance Facilities. The airport is spread over a total area of 741 acres and is located adjoining the Freeport Harbour Company Limited. It was previously privately owned and operated as a joint venture between Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) and The Port Group (or the Grand Bahama Port Authority). However, the airport is now owned by the Government of The Bahamas, which purchased it for one Bahamian dollar in April 2021, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

The airport has a 3,359-metre-long runway capable of handling the largest aircraft in service. It is relatively close to all major cities on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. The airport features a PAPI (Precision approach path indicator) system, distance-remaining markers, Category seven fire-fighting facilities, general aviation services, and an air-conditioned passenger terminal set at a temperature of 28 degrees Celsius.

The Grand Bahama International Airport serves various destinations, including Miami, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale, Nassau, Orlando, Marsh Harbour, South Bimini, Milan–Malpensa, Montréal–Trudeau, and Toronto–Pearson.

The airport has experienced several accidents and incidents over the years, including crashes during take-off and landing, resulting in fatalities in some cases. Hurricane Dorian also caused significant damage to the airport in September 2019, leaving it under six feet of water.

Marsh Harbour Airport

The Bahamas is an archipelago of over 700 islands, attracting tourists with its natural beauty and adventure sports such as snorkelling and scuba diving. The Bahamas has 41 airports, 32 of which are domestic and 5 are international. One of these airports is the Marsh Harbour Airport, located in the town of Marsh Harbour in the Abaco Islands, Bahamas. It is the third-largest airport in the Bahamas and was formerly known as the Marsh Harbour International Airport. On 25 May 2016, it was renamed the Leonard M. Thompson International Airport, after a prominent son of Hope Town who flew bombers for the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II.

The airport has an elevation of 6 ft (1.8 m) above mean sea level and features a single runway, designated 09/27, with an asphalt surface measuring 1,859 m x 30 m (6,100 ft x 100 ft). It offers scheduled passenger flights to Nassau and several destinations in Florida, as well as regional jet flights to three major U.S. hubs: Atlanta, Charlotte, and Miami. The route with the most departures from Marsh Harbour Airport is to Nassau (NAS), with an average of 18 flights every week, followed by Miami (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL). Bahamasair is the largest airline operating from this airport, with around 23 scheduled take-offs every week, followed by American Airlines. The most common aircraft types using this airport include the ATR 72/42 and the Embraer 19X/17X.

The new airport terminal opened on 27 May 2014, after three years of construction, and incorporates architectural elements that reflect the culture of the Bahamas. The new 46,000-square-foot (4,300 m2) terminal features 22 counter positions, a new luggage scanning system, a pilot briefing room, two restaurants, one lounge, shops, and a public parking area.

Treasure Cay Airport

The Treasure Cay Airport is located in the Abaco Islands of the Bahamas. It is a small airport, with only one terminal building, serving as a gateway to the Treasure Cay. The airport is built at an elevation of 8 ft (2.4 m) above sea level and has one runway with an asphalt surface measuring 2,134 m x 46 m (7,001 ft x 151 ft).

The airport is currently operating out of a travel trailer, as the original building has been torn down. On average, no more than 15 planes arrive or depart from the airport daily, with most flights headed to Florida and some to Nassau. The airport's location is approximately 7 miles northwest of Treasure Cay.

The Treasure Cay Airport is one of the many airports in the Bahamas, which is an archipelago consisting of over 700 islands. The country offers a wide range of attractions, including snorkelling and scuba diving, and its airports provide excellent connectivity, making it one of the best countries to visit in terms of hassle-free travel.

North Eleuthera Airport

The Bahamas is an English-speaking country consisting of 29 islands, 661 cays, and 2,387 islets. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean, north of Cuba and southeast of the United States. With over 700 islands, it is a popular tourist destination, known for its snorkelling and scuba diving.

The North Eleuthera Airport is one of the best airports in Eleuthera, Bahamas. It is located in North Eleuthera and serves the outlying islands of Harbour Island and Spanish Wells, as well as the northernmost third of Eleuthera Island. The airport code is ELH, and it is one of the most convenient airport stops in the area. It is the busiest of the three airports in Eleuthera, with the most airline service from commercial airlines, air charter services, and private planes.

The airport has a small snack shop, a gift shop, several restaurants, and a bar across the street. It is now upgraded with a security checkpoint, and customs and immigration are available all months and days from 1400-2200Z, UTC-5 (-4DT).

For those headed to Harbour Island, a ten-minute taxi ride and then a ten-minute water taxi ride will get you there. Rental vehicles are available at the airport, but driving is on the left side of the road. Golf carts are the preferred mode of transport on Harbour Island.

Frequently asked questions