New Cat Island Airport Opens with Makers Air Florida Service

The government of The Bahamas has officially commissioned the new Arthur's Town Airport (ATC/MYCA) on Cat Island, a key project in a national strategy to drive economic growth across its Family Islands through aviation infrastructure investment. The upgraded facility, which features a new 5,400-square-foot terminal and a resurfaced 7,000-foot runway, is set to welcome its first international flights on May 12, 2026.

This development is part of the country's ambitious Family Island Renaissance program, which aims to modernize more than 14 airports. The initiative leverages Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to fund critical upgrades, positioning the islands to attract more direct airlift and tourism. For Cat Island, the new airport is expected to significantly reduce travel time for visitors and provide new economic opportunities for residents, particularly in the northern part of the island.

A Strategic Investment in Connectivity

At the airport's commissioning ceremony, government officials framed the project as a foundational investment in the nation's future. Prime Minister Philip Davis, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador, stated the airport will bring “more people, more trade and more opportunity.” He emphasized the role of the local community in managing this growth, saying, “it is up to you, the people of Cat Island, to determine how you wish to expand that community.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, Chester Cooper, described the project as “a gateway to economic renaissance for this part of Cat Island.” He noted that the initiative is a component of the “most aggressive and historic airport development programme this country has ever seen.” This national strategy is outlined in the Bahamas National Aviation Strategic Plan (NASP), which provides a framework for redeveloping and enhancing airports across the archipelago.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister, these infrastructure projects are designed to be “lifelines and engines for opportunity,” improving connectivity for residents and making it easier for visitors to arrive safely. The PPP model allows private partners to operate the facilities under long-term leases while the government retains ownership, a structure intended to ensure sustainable management and investment.

Immediate Airlift and Economic Impact

The most immediate impact of the airport's opening is the introduction of new international airlift. Makers Air will launch the first direct service from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) in Florida, operating twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This gives the airline a first-mover advantage on routes to northern Cat Island and expands its Bahamian network to 12 destinations.

For local hospitality and tourism businesses, the direct flights are a significant development. By bypassing the traditional transit hub in Nassau (NAS), the service is expected to attract more high-value tourists and stimulate business growth. While this may cause a marginal loss of domestic transit traffic for Lynden Pindling International Airport, the primary goal is to decentralize tourism and spread economic benefits more widely across the Family Islands.

Historical Context: The Family Island Renaissance Program

The Arthur’s Town project follows a pattern of successful infrastructure upgrades under the same government initiative. In December 2022, the Great Harbour Cay Airport in the Berry Islands opened a new terminal, which similarly boosted local tourism. The Arthur’s Town development also draws from the blueprint established by the ongoing $65 million redevelopment of Exuma International Airport, the flagship project of the Family Island airport program.

Technical Comparison: Cat Island's Airports

The upgraded Arthur's Town Airport provides enhanced capabilities compared to the island's other primary airport, New Bight (TBI).

What Comes Next

The key predictive milestone for the new airport is the confirmed commencement of Makers Air international service, scheduled to begin on May 12, 2026. This will mark the formal integration of Arthur's Town into the regional air transport network, connecting it directly with the South Florida market.

Why This Matters

This development highlights a key trend in Caribbean aviation: the expansion of direct, point-to-point international flights to smaller, underserved islands, bypassing major hubs. It also showcases the increasing reliance on Public-Private Partnerships as a viable model for funding critical aviation infrastructure in island nations, a strategy aimed at unlocking economic potential and enhancing global connectivity.