🇧🇸 Normans Cay Airport

Normans Cay Airport (MYEN (NMC)) is a civilian airfield located on Normans Cay, one of the Exuma Islands in The Bahamas. It operates from sunrise to sunset.

Type of Facility and Operations: Normans Cay Airport is classified as a midsized airport with a single asphalt runway, designated 03/21, measuring approximately 1,433 to 1,436 meters (4,703 to 4,711 feet) in length. It is an Airport of Entry (AOE) and considered international, although one source indicates it is not an AOE. The airport has an elevation of 8 feet (2.4 meters) above mean sea level. While no fuel is directly available at the airport, third-party providers such as JetMate Aviation offer ground handling and aviation fuel services. The airport does not have a control tower and is unattended.

Notable Features or History: The airport gained notoriety in the late 1970s and early 1980s for its role as a primary transshipment base for cocaine smuggling into the United States by Carlos Lehder, a member of the Medellín Cartel. Lehder extended the airstrip to accommodate his fleet of aircraft, and the island was reportedly protected by armed guards and attack dogs. It was a strategic point for Colombian drug flights to refuel and for pilots to rest.

Current Status: Today, Normans Cay Airport serves as a gateway for tourists to the island. It is a public airport. A landing fee is charged, which is typically communicated verbally by airport staff. The airport welcomes guests, but prior permission may be required. No businesses are listed as operating directly at the airport.