Flying to Great Inagua: Inagua International Airport, Flights & Arrival Guide
INTRODUCTION
Great Inagua's main air gateway is Inagua International (Matthew Town) Airport (IGA), located at Matthew Town on Great Inagua in the southern Bahamas. The airport uses the IATA code IGA and ICAO code MYIG and provides the primary aviation connection for travelers visiting Inagua National Park, Matthew Town, the island's flamingo habitats and other attractions. The Bahamas Department of Aviation officially lists the facility as Inagua International (Matthew Town) Airport.
For most leisure travelers, reaching Great Inagua by air involves connecting through Nassau's Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS). Current Bahamas tourism flight information lists Bahamasair service between Nassau and Matthew Town, as well as connections involving nearby Mayaguana. Because service to this remote Family Island is much less frequent than flights to Nassau, Exuma or Abaco, travelers should build their itinerary around confirmed flights rather than assuming daily service.
The airport is relatively small, so visitors should not expect the extensive passenger services found at Nassau or Freeport. Its importance lies instead in providing essential connectivity between Great Inagua and the rest of The Bahamas.
For complete planning beyond airport access—including accommodations, wildlife, beaches and attractions—connect this article naturally to the Ultimate Inagua Travel Guide.
GREAT INAGUA AIRPORT AT A GLANCE
The official Department of Aviation identifies the airport as Inagua International (Matthew Town) Airport and provides the following basic information:
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Airport: Inagua International (Matthew Town) Airport
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IATA code: IGA
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ICAO code: MYIG
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Location: Matthew Town, Inagua
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Coordinates: 20°58'30"N, 73°40'01"W
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Airport frequency: 122.8 UNICOM
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Runway: 10/28
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Runway surface: Asphalt
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Runway dimensions: 2,140 × 30 meters / 7,020 × 100 feet
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Elevation: 17 feet / 5 meters
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Traffic: VFR
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Port of entry: Yes
The 2026 Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas Government-Owned Aerodromes Register classifies Matthew Town as a 4C aerodrome.
For travelers, the most useful identifiers are IGA when searching for airline tickets and Matthew Town, Inagua when checking schedules or transportation.
IS IT CALLED GREAT INAGUA AIRPORT OR INAGUA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?
Travelers may encounter several variations of the airport's name online.
These can include:
Inagua International Airport
Inagua International (Matthew Town) Airport
Matthew Town Airport
Great Inagua Airport
The Bahamas Department of Aviation currently uses Inagua International (Matthew Town) Airport, while the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas aerodrome register identifies the aerodrome as Matthew Town.
The airport codes remove most ambiguity:
IGA = IATA code
MYIG = ICAO code
For travelers booking commercial flights, searching IGA is generally the simplest option.
FLIGHTS FROM NASSAU TO GREAT INAGUA
Nassau is the principal domestic aviation hub for travelers heading to Great Inagua.
Current official Bahamas tourism flight information lists Bahamasair service between:
Nassau (NAS) → Matthew Town, Inagua (IGA)
Matthew Town, Inagua (IGA) → Nassau (NAS)
The official tourism schedule currently shows these routes operating on Friday, although airline schedules are subject to change.
This limited frequency has an important consequence for trip planning.
Travelers should verify their actual travel dates directly with the airline before reserving accommodations, guides or other nonrefundable arrangements.
Bahamasair flight search and schedules
Great Inagua is not a destination where travelers should assume they can simply move their departure to the following morning if plans change.
FLIGHTS BETWEEN INAGUA AND MAYAGUANA
Great Inagua also has an aviation relationship with Mayaguana, another southeastern Family Island.
Current official Bahamas tourism information lists Bahamasair service involving Matthew Town (IGA) and Mayaguana (MYG), although the direction and operating day shown varies within the published schedule.
These routes can provide useful regional connectivity, but they should not be treated as a guaranteed island-hopping system without confirming the current timetable.
For travelers interested in combining multiple southern Bahamian islands, airline schedules—not geographic distance—will often determine what itinerary is practical.
FLYING TO INAGUA FROM THE UNITED STATES
Travelers originating in the United States will commonly reach Inagua by connecting through Nassau.
A typical itinerary is:
United States → Nassau (NAS) → Great Inagua (IGA)
Nassau has extensive international connectivity, while Great Inagua has a much smaller domestic route network. The Bahamas' current flight listings show numerous international services into Nassau alongside Bahamasair's onward service to Matthew Town.
Because the Inagua connection is limited, travelers should leave adequate time between flights.
An overnight stay in Nassau may sometimes be more practical than constructing a tight same-day connection, particularly if international arrival times do not align with the Inagua departure.
IS GREAT INAGUA AIRPORT A PORT OF ENTRY?
Yes.
The 2026 Bahamas Government-Owned Aerodromes Register identifies Matthew Town Airport as a port of entry.
This is especially relevant for private aviation.
However, being designated a port of entry should not be interpreted as meaning customs, immigration or aviation services operate continuously.
Private pilots and international travelers should verify current entry procedures, operating hours, customs availability and advance-notification requirements before departure.
This is particularly important at smaller Family Island airports where staffing and operating arrangements differ considerably from Nassau.
RUNWAY AND AIRPORT OPERATING INFORMATION
The Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas register provides useful technical context for the airport.
Matthew Town Airport has an asphalt runway designated 10/28 measuring approximately 7,020 feet (2,140 meters) long and 100 feet (30 meters) wide.
The same register currently lists:
Traffic permitted: VFR
UNICOM: 122.80
Hours: Sunrise to sunset, VMC
Port of entry: Yes
Fuel: AVGAS 100
These specifications are primarily relevant to pilots and aviation operators rather than ordinary airline passengers.
Private aircraft operators should always use current aviation publications rather than relying exclusively on travel articles for operational planning.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE
Inagua International Airport is a small Family Island airport rather than a large tourism terminal.
Travelers should expect a relatively straightforward arrival experience with significantly fewer commercial services than at major airports such as Nassau.
The airport's main function is practical:
aircraft arrival → passenger processing → baggage collection → ground transportation → Matthew Town
This simplicity suits the character of Great Inagua, where tourism infrastructure is relatively limited and visitors primarily come for wildlife, birding, fishing, nature and community experiences.
Do not assume the airport has the same range of restaurants, lounges, shops, rental counters or other passenger amenities found at major international airports.
GETTING FROM THE AIRPORT TO MATTHEW TOWN
The airport is associated directly with Matthew Town, Great Inagua's principal settlement. The Department of Aviation lists its address simply as Matthew Town, Inagua.
Matthew Town functions as the practical base for most visitors because accommodations, community services and many local travel arrangements are concentrated there.
Rather than assuming app-based rideshare or extensive taxi availability, visitors should arrange airport transportation in advance through:
This is particularly important when arriving on a limited-frequency flight.
Confirm who will meet you and where before departing Nassau.
DO YOU NEED A RENTAL CAR IN INAGUA?
Transportation needs depend heavily on the purpose of the trip.
Travelers remaining primarily around Matthew Town may be able to rely on prearranged local transportation.
Visitors planning to explore more of Great Inagua will need transportation appropriate for the island's roads and distances.
Major experiences can involve traveling beyond the settlement, including:
If a guide is taking you into Inagua National Park, transportation may be incorporated into that excursion.
For first-time visitors, arranging transportation before arrival is generally more reliable than trying to organize every movement after landing.
FLYING TO INAGUA FOR FLAMINGO WATCHING
Many leisure visitors flying into IGA are traveling specifically for Inagua National Park and its internationally important West Indian flamingo population.
The official Bahamas tourism site identifies Inagua as a major birdwatching destination and lists Inagua National Park, Little Inagua National Park, Great Inagua Lighthouse and Union Creek Reserve among the island's highlights.
This creates a strong travel relationship:
Inagua International Airport → Matthew Town → Inagua National Park → flamingo watching and birding
Visitors should arrange their wildlife excursions separately rather than assuming transportation or park tours can be booked at the airport.
A dedicated Flamingo Watching in Inagua guide and Inagua National Park Guide should provide the next layer of trip planning.
HOW EARLY SHOULD YOU ARRIVE FOR YOUR FLIGHT?
For Bahamasair domestic travel, the airline currently recommends arriving at least two hours before departure.
Bahamasair states that domestic counter and internet check-in close 60 minutes before departure, while passengers must be at the gate and ready to board at least 20 minutes before scheduled departure. Standard checked-baggage acceptance also closes 60 minutes before departure.
Do not assume that a small airport means you can arrive shortly before takeoff.
For a route with limited frequencies, missing the check-in cutoff can have a much greater effect on an itinerary than it would on a route offering multiple departures every day.
BAGGAGE PLANNING FOR INAGUA
Visitors should check their airline's current baggage allowance before departure, particularly if carrying specialized equipment.
This is especially relevant to Inagua travelers because many visitors bring:
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Binoculars
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Camera equipment
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Telephoto lenses
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Fishing equipment
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Outdoor clothing
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Personal medications
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Snorkeling equipment
Keep medication, identification, essential electronics and other critical items in your permitted carry-on baggage whenever possible.
Wildlife photographers should also confirm rules for camera equipment and batteries before flying.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR FLIGHT IS DELAYED?
Schedule flexibility is particularly important when traveling to remote Family Islands.
Weather, aircraft operations and other circumstances can affect domestic flights throughout The Bahamas. With limited service to Great Inagua, a disruption can have a larger effect than it would on a high-frequency route.
A sensible Inagua itinerary avoids placing an essential international connection immediately after the expected return flight from IGA.
Consider adding buffer time in Nassau when:
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Connecting to an international flight
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Traveling during unsettled weather
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Carrying time-sensitive onward reservations
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Joining a cruise
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Attending an event with a fixed start time
Travel insurance may also be worth considering for itineraries involving multiple separately booked components.
AIRPORT CONTACT INFORMATION
The Bahamas Department of Aviation currently lists the following contact information for Inagua International (Matthew Town) Airport:
Airport phone: +1 242-339-2104
Emergency: +1 242-477-0032 / +1 242-453-8402 / +1 242-453-8417
Bahamasair separately lists an Inagua station number of +1 242-339-1680.
Travelers should distinguish between contacting the airport and contacting Bahamasair about a reservation or flight.
PRACTICAL ARRIVAL CHECKLIST
Because Great Inagua has limited tourism infrastructure, prepare before leaving Nassau.
Before flying to IGA, confirm:
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Your flight and departure time
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Bahamasair baggage requirements
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Accommodation reservation
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Airport pickup or ground transportation
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Guide or tour arrangements
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Inagua National Park plans
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Return-flight schedule
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Weather conditions
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Essential medication and supplies
It is also sensible to keep accommodation and local transportation contact details accessible offline.
IS GREAT INAGUA AIRPORT ACCESSIBLE FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS?
The airport itself provides a straightforward entry point to the island, but traveling to Inagua requires more advance planning than visiting major Bahamian destinations.
The main issue is not navigating a complicated airport.
It is limited connectivity.
Travelers need to coordinate their flight, accommodation, transportation and excursions around a relatively small number of available services.
For visitors comfortable planning ahead, the airport makes Great Inagua's remote wildlife and cultural experiences accessible without requiring a private boat or aircraft.
LOCAL & DESTINATION CONTEXT
Inagua International Airport (IGA) connects Matthew Town and Great Inagua with Nassau and the wider Bahamian aviation network. Matthew Town serves as the island's main settlement and practical visitor base, while nearby experiences extend into the wetlands, salt ponds and protected habitats of Inagua National Park. Regional air links also connect Inagua with Mayaguana, strengthening Great Inagua's relationship with the southeastern Family Islands. Together, IGA → Matthew Town → Great Inagua → southern Bahamas → Nassau → The Bahamas forms the essential geographic and transportation relationship for visitors arriving by air.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE AIRPORT CODE FOR GREAT INAGUA?
Great Inagua's airport uses IGA as its IATA code and MYIG as its ICAO code.
WHERE IS INAGUA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?
The airport is located at Matthew Town on Great Inagua, the principal settlement and main visitor base on the island.
CAN YOU FLY FROM NASSAU TO INAGUA?
Yes. Current official Bahamas flight information lists Bahamasair service between Nassau (NAS) and Matthew Town, Inagua (IGA). Schedules are limited and should be confirmed for your specific travel dates.
IS THERE A FLIGHT FROM INAGUA TO MAYAGUANA?
Official Bahamas flight information currently lists Bahamasair service involving Matthew Town (IGA) and Mayaguana (MYG). Travelers should verify the operating day and direction directly before planning an island-hopping itinerary.
IS GREAT INAGUA AIRPORT A PORT OF ENTRY?
Yes. The 2026 Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas aerodrome register identifies Matthew Town Airport as a port of entry. Private international arrivals should still verify current customs and immigration procedures in advance.
HOW LONG IS THE RUNWAY AT INAGUA AIRPORT?
The asphalt runway is approximately 7,020 feet (2,140 meters) long and 100 feet (30 meters) wide.
HOW EARLY SHOULD I ARRIVE FOR A BAHAMASAIR FLIGHT?
Bahamasair recommends arriving at least two hours before domestic departures. Domestic check-in and baggage acceptance close 60 minutes before departure.
HOW DO I GET FROM IGA AIRPORT TO MATTHEW TOWN?
Arrange ground transportation in advance through your accommodation, guide or local transportation provider. The airport itself is located in the Matthew Town area.
EXPLORE MORE INAGUA GUIDES
CONCLUSION
Inagua International (Matthew Town) Airport is the essential aviation gateway to Great Inagua. Identified by the airport codes IGA and MYIG, it connects Matthew Town with Nassau and forms the starting point for most air-based trips to the island's national parks, flamingo habitats, salt landscapes and coastal attractions.
The airport is easy to understand; the greater challenge is planning around Inagua's limited flight frequency and visitor infrastructure. Current official tourism schedules list Bahamasair service between Nassau and Matthew Town, making advance flight confirmation particularly important.
Travelers should coordinate flights, accommodations, ground transportation and wildlife excursions before arrival and leave sufficient flexibility for connections through Nassau.
For the complete destination picture, continue to the Ultimate Inagua Travel Guide, then use the related Inagua guides to plan transportation, accommodations, flamingo watching, national park visits and activities in greater detail.
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Updated as of August 2026.