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Grand Bahama International Airport

Coordinates: 26°33′31″N 078°41′44″W / 26.55861°N 78.69556°W / 26.55861; -78.69556
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Grand Bahama International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerFreeport Airport Development Company (Government of The Bahamas)
ServesFreeport, The Bahamas
Hub for
Elevation AMSL8 ft / 2 m
Coordinates26°33′31″N 078°41′44″W / 26.55861°N 78.69556°W / 26.55861; -78.69556
Map
MYGF is located in Bahamas
MYGF
MYGF
Location in the Bahamas
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
06/24 3,360 11,024 Asphalt
Source: DAFIF[1]

Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA) (IATA: FPO, ICAO: MYGF) is an international airport in Freeport, The Bahamas. It was privately owned until the government of The Bahamas purchased it in April 29 2021 for one Bahamian dollar, a deal they were able to procure largely due to the devastation from Hurricane Dorian, which almost completely destroyed the airport in 2019.[2][3] The Bahamian government spent a approximately $1 million on staff severance costs as part of the deal.[4]

Before being purchased by the government of The Bahamas, the airport was a joint venture between Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) and The Port Group (or the Grand Bahama Port Authority). The facility also includes 741 acres (300 ha) of land that adjoins it to the Freeport Harbour Company Limited as they operate as one entity, known as the Sea Air Business Centre (SABC).[5]

Facilities

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The airport has a 3,359 m × 46 m (11,020 ft × 151 ft) runway which is capable of handling the largest aircraft in service and is relatively close to all major cities of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States.

The Grand Bahama International Airport also has:

  • PAPI (precision approach path indicator) system
  • Distance-remaining markers
  • Category seven fire fighting facilities
  • General aviation services
  • Air conditioned passenger terminal

Airlines and destinations

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Passenger

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AirlinesDestinations
American Eagle Miami[6]
Seasonal: Charlotte[7]
Bahamasair Fort Lauderdale,[8] Nassau[9]
Seasonal: Orlando[10]
Flamingo Air Marsh Harbour,[11] South Bimini[12]
WestJet Seasonal: Montréal–Trudeau,[13] Toronto–Pearson[13]
Western Air Fort Lauderdale,[14] Nassau[15]

Accidents and incidents

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  • On 12 November 1964, Lockheed Lodestar N171Q stalled after take-off and was destroyed by fire in the subsequent crash, killing all four people on board.[16]
  • On 22 November 1966, de Havilland DH.125 N235KC of Florida Commuter Airlines crashed into the sea 7.3 km (3.9 nmi) off Grand Bahamas during a flight from Miami, Florida.[17]
  • On 24 November 1979, Convair 440-86 N444JM of Mackey International Airlines was on an international non-scheduled passenger flight to Fort Lauderdale International Airport when the starboard engine caught fire just after take-off. On approach to Grand Bahamas International, the engine fell off. On landing, the aircraft departed the runway and ended up in the sea. All 46 people on board escaped from the aircraft.[18]
  • On 12 September 1980, Douglas DC-3A N75KW of Florida Commuter Airlines, operating a scheduled international passenger flight from West Palm Beach International Airport, Palm Beach, Florida, United States to Grand Bahama International Airport crashed into the sea 6.5 kilometres (3.5 nmi) off West End. All 34 people on board were killed.[19]
  • On 20 July 2000, Douglas C-47A N54AA of Allied Air Freight suffered an engine failure on take-off from Grand Bahama International Airport on a cargo flight to Nassau International Airport, Bahamas. The aircraft crashed while attempting to return to Grand Bahama International and was destroyed. Both crew were killed.[20]
  • On 9 November 2014, a Lear 36 Executive Jet crashed on approach to the airport. All nine people on board perished, including evangelist Myles Munroe and his wife.[21]
  • On 7 February 2017, a Western Air Saab 340 passenger aircraft landing gear failed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft turned around and crashed landed at the airport. All 30 passengers survived, and two sustained minor injuries.[22]
  • On 24 October 2020, an American Eagle ERJ-145LR (N674RJ) operating as Envoy Air Flight 4194 from Miami to Freeport had a runway excursion upon landing. Nobody was injured in the crash. The aircraft had suffered main gear damage, and the left main broke off.[23]

References

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  1. ^ "Airport information for MYGF". World Aero Data. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Data current as of October 2006. Source: DAFIF.
  2. ^ "Take-Off For New Era As Govt Buys Airport". The Tribune 242. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  3. ^ Brown, Oswald (25 March 2021). "GOVERNMENT TO BUY GB AIRPORT IN DEAL SEEN AS VITAL TO SAVE RAVAGED ECONOMY". BAHAMAS CHRONICLE. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  4. ^ znsbahamas (29 April 2021). "Grand Bahama Airport Officially Owned by Bahamas Government". ZNS BAHAMAS. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  5. ^ http://www.freeportcontainerport.com/gbair.php Archived 11 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA) is a privately owned ...•Special Cargo/Freight handling area
  6. ^ "The Bahamas Welcomes First-Ever U.S. Nonstop Service to Bimini via American Airlines". 14 February 2026. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  7. ^ "American Airlines Just Launched a New Route to The Bahamas". Caribbean Journal. 6 November 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  8. ^ McKenzie, Natario (17 July 2024). "Grand Bahama to welcome boost in tourism with increased fall airlift". Eye Witness News. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  9. ^ Gay, Stephen (22 November 2023). "Bahamasair Introduces New Flight Service between Fort Lauderdale Florida and Georgetown Exuma". Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  10. ^ Bethel, Gina (20 June 2025). "Bahamasair expands services with Freeport to Orlando route". ZNS BAHAMAS. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  11. ^ Dames, Candia (6 October 2023). "Flamingo Air grounded". The Nassau Guardian. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  12. ^ Robards, Chester (12 December 2024). "Airport fees force Flamingo Air to increase ticket prices between GB and Bimini". The Nassau Guardian. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  13. ^ a b Mallia, Jen (30 May 2025). "Sunwing Customers Now Fly WestJet - Here's What's New". travelpulseCA. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  14. ^ "Emergency landing for Western Air plane". The Nassau Guardian. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  15. ^ Hall, Italia (23 August 2024). "Western Air Makes Inaugural Direct Flight". Our News. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  16. ^ "N171Q Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  17. ^ "N235KC Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  18. ^ "N444JM Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  19. ^ "N75KW Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  20. ^ "N54AA Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  21. ^ "Small plane crashes in Bahamas, killing 9 on board". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  22. ^ "Western Air plane crash-lands at Grand Bahama International Airport | The Tribune". m.tribune242.com. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  23. ^ "N674RJ Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
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