Port Nelson Airstrip

Port Nelson, BS 🇧🇸 Closed Airport

ICAO

BS-0002

IATA

-

Elevation

- ft

Region

BS-RC

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: 23.651411° N, -74.845051° E

Continent: North America

Type: Closed Airport

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.

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Online Reviews Summary

Recent traveler reviews and experiences for Port Nelson Airstrip (BS-0002/IATA: RCY, ICAO: MYRP) in Port Nelson, Bahamas, are not widely available in recent search results. Information primarily consists of operational details, suggesting that it is a small, basic airstrip serving Rum Cay. Overall traveler sentiment and satisfaction are therefore difficult to determine from direct reviews.

What Travelers Love
  • Gateway to Rum Cay: The airstrip provides direct air access to Rum Cay, an island known for its unspoiled reefs, diving, snorkeling, and fishing, making it appealing for those seeking a secluded Bahamian experience.
Common Complaints
  • Limited Facilities: Port Nelson Airstrip is a very basic facility with only one asphalt runway. There is no fuel available at the airport.
  • No On-site Customs: While listed as an "Airport of Entry," there are no customs services available on-site, and no US Customs Pre-Clearance. This implies international travelers would need to make prior arrangements or clear customs at another airport.
  • Unattended Operations and Limited Hours: The control tower is unattended, and the airport is not open 24 hours, with administrative hours limited to weekdays (1400-2200Z).
  • Lack of Amenities: Given its small size and basic operational details, travelers should expect a complete absence of terminal facilities, amenities, retail, or dining options.

Port Nelson Airstrip appears to cater primarily to private charters or small regional flights, serving as a functional entry point to Rum Cay rather than a full-service airport. Travelers should arrive prepared, as there are minimal services available directly at the airstrip.

Last updated: 70 days ago
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For Pilots

Designation Length Width Surface Status

Type Description Frequency

Ident Name Type Frequency

Airport Closure Information

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025

Closure Date

Approximately 2004-2005

Reason for Closure

Replacement and Redundancy. The Port Nelson Airstrip was a rudimentary, unpaved strip with significant operational limitations. It was officially closed and replaced by the newly constructed Rum Cay Airport (ICAO: MYRP), located approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) to the northwest. The new airport offered a longer, paved runway, modern facilities, and improved safety standards, making the old airstrip obsolete.

Current Status

The site is abandoned and derelict. Satellite imagery shows the faint outline of the former runway, but it is heavily overgrown with vegetation and is completely unusable for any aviation purposes. There are no buildings or infrastructure remaining. The land has effectively returned to nature and has no formal current use.

Historical Significance

For many years, the Port Nelson Airstrip was the primary aviation gateway to Rum Cay. It served as a vital lifeline for the small island community, handling general aviation aircraft, small charter flights, and essential services. Operations primarily consisted of private pilots flying in for tourism, air taxis transporting residents and supplies from Nassau or other Bahamian islands, and occasional medical evacuation flights. Its proximity to the main settlement of Port Nelson made it convenient, but its short length and unpaved surface limited the size and type of aircraft that could use it, especially during wet conditions. It was crucial for the island's limited tourism and connection to the outside world before its replacement.

Reopening Prospects

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Port Nelson Airstrip. The existence of the superior and fully operational Rum Cay Airport (MYRP) a short distance away makes the old airstrip entirely redundant. Any investment in aviation infrastructure on the island would be directed towards maintaining or upgrading the current airport, not rehabilitating the old, poorly located one.

AI-Generated Content: This closure information was compiled using AI from publicly available sources and historical records. Details may be incomplete or outdated; please verify with local aviation authorities for official status.

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Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.