The Bahamas Civil Aviation Department has announced the re-opening of the Staniel Cay airport (MYES) effective November 18, 2015. Please note the temporary restrictions on operating hours of sunrise to 3:00 pm daily while some remaining construction is finalized.

As many will recall, the runway was closed unexpectedly due to perceived risks associated with the runway surface. The closure was a major problem for residents and hotel operators on the island as well as for the visitors wanting to travel to Staniel Cay by air. This is great news and the timing is perfect as the tourism season has begun. The following is the text of the announcement:

Nassau, Bahamas - The Ministry of Transport & Aviation is pleased to advise that the Staniel Cay Airport has been re-opened to air traffic, effective today, November 18, 2015.

A Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued by the Department of Civil Aviation, advising that the new runway is classified as a Code 2b airport, with a newly paved runway 3,000 ft. long and 75 ft. wide.

The airport will be opened during the hours between sunrise to 3:00 pm daily.

These hours of operation will remain in effect until final construction on the Runway End Safety Area (RESA) has been satisfactorily completed.

It is anticipated that this process will be completed in two weeks’ time, allowing for regular operational hours to be re-introduced, that is from official sunrise to official sunset.

The public will recall that the Department of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Works determined that it was necessary to close the airport on 9th April, 2015, after safety concerns came to light during a routine runway inspection. Bahamas Hot Mix was subsequently contracted by the Ministry of Works to undertake the needed repairs.

The Ministry of Transport & Aviation and Department of Civil Aviation are extremely pleased that the airport has now been re-opened, and thanks the residents of Staniel Cay and other visitors to the Exumas for the patience they have exercised while this very necessary repair process was undertaken.

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