George Town, BS 🇧🇸 Closed Airport
BS-0018
-
5 ft
BS-EX
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 23.4667° N, -75.7817° E
Continent: NA
Type: Closed Airport
Keywords: MYEG MYEG
Traveler sentiment at George Town Airport (GGT), also known as Exuma International Airport, is generally positive, often highlighting its small, user-friendly nature. While some aspects like facilities are basic, the overall experience is seen as straightforward and efficient, especially given its island location.
Overall, George Town Airport provides a functional and relatively quick entry point to Exuma, with a new $65 million airport project underway since 2021 promising upgraded facilities and a larger terminal in the future. Travelers should be prepared for basic amenities and potential for "island time" efficiency, especially during busy periods.
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| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
11/29 |
5000 ft | 90 ft | ASP | Active |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| AWOS | AWOS | 134.775 MHz |
| RDO | NASSAU RDO | 124.2 MHz |
| UNIC | UNICOM | 122.8 MHz |
Approximately late 1960s to early 1970s. The exact date is not well-documented, but its closure directly coincided with the construction and opening of its replacement, the current Exuma International Airport (IATA: GGT, ICAO: MYEF).
The airport was closed because it was replaced by the new, larger Exuma International Airport. The original airfield (BS-0018) was too small, with a runway that was inadequate for the larger, faster aircraft (including jets) needed to support the burgeoning tourism industry in the Exuma islands. The new airport was constructed at a more suitable location with a longer runway and modern facilities to accommodate international flights and significantly more passenger traffic, which was essential for the region's economic development.
The site of the former airport is completely decommissioned and has been redeveloped. While the faint outline of the former north-south runway can still be traced on satellite imagery, it is no longer intact or usable for any aviation purposes. The land has been repurposed for community infrastructure. Notably, the southern portion of the old runway and surrounding area is now the location of the L.N. Coakley High School and its athletic facilities, including a running track. Roads and other local buildings also now occupy parts of the former airfield.
This was the original airfield for George Town, the main settlement of the Exuma islands. For several decades, it served as the primary air link for the community, handling general aviation, private charters, and small-scale commercial flights on propeller aircraft. It was the crucial gateway for the first wave of tourists, residents, mail, and supplies, connecting Great Exuma to Nassau and the rest of the world. Its operation was fundamental to the island's accessibility and early economic growth before it was rendered obsolete by the demands of modern air travel.
There are no known plans or prospects for reopening this airport. Its function has been entirely and permanently replaced by the modern and far more capable Exuma International Airport (MYEF). Given that the original site has been significantly redeveloped with permanent structures like a school and public roads, reopening is logistically infeasible, economically unjustifiable, and strategically unnecessary.