Makers Air Unlocks Cat Island’s Untouched North

A new twice-weekly route to Arthur’s Town puts one of the Bahamas’ most authentic islands within easier reach — starting May 12, 2026

There’s a particular kind of traveler who grows tired of the well-worn Caribbean circuit — the all-inclusive mega-resorts, the cruise-ship-crowded beaches, the destinations that feel more like theme parks than places. These travelers have long whispered about Cat Island, a slender strip of Bahamian land roughly 130 miles southeast of Nassau, as a kind of antidote. Pristine, quiet, culturally rich, and stubbornly uncommercialised. The only problem? Getting there has never been the easiest proposition.

That’s about to change. Makers Air, the Fort Lauderdale-based carrier that has quietly built one of the most compelling route networks in the Out Islands, has announced scheduled service to Arthur’s Town Airport (ATC) on Cat Island, with the first flights departing on May 12, 2026. The route will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays, making Arthur’s Town the airline’s 12th scheduled destination in The Bahamas.

For those who know Cat Island — and those who’ve been waiting for a reason to finally go — it’s genuinely significant news.

Why Cat Island Has Always Mattered

Cat Island occupies a curious position in the Bahamian travel landscape. It lacks the glittering resort infrastructure of Nassau and Paradise Island, doesn’t have the Instagram magnetism of the Exumas’ swimming pigs, and can’t match Harbour Island’s bubblegum-pink sand celebrity. And yet, among serious travelers, it commands a near-mythical reputation.

The island is the birthplace of Sir Sidney Poitier, the late Oscar-winning actor who remains one of the Bahamas’ most beloved cultural figures. Its highest point, Como Hill, is crowned by a small stone hermitage built by hand by a Canadian monk in the mid-20th century — an utterly surreal landmark that punctuates the island’s ridge with quiet drama. Offshore, some of the best bone fishing in the entire archipelago draws anglers who prefer empty flats to crowded marinas. And the beaches — long, deserted, and facing both the Atlantic and the Caribbean — are the kind that make you genuinely question your other life choices.

Cat Island also runs north-to-south for approximately 48 miles, which means that where you land matters. The two airports — Arthur’s Town in the north and New Bight Airport (TBI) further south — serve distinctly different parts of the island. Until now, most air connectivity has favored the south. Makers Air’s new Arthur’s Town route directly addresses the underserved northern communities and properties, cutting ground transfer times and opening the island’s upper reaches to travelers who might previously have written it off as too logistically complicated.

What Makers Air Brings to the Table

Makers Air is not a budget carrier throwing seats into underserved markets and hoping for the best. Since its founding, the airline has carved out a reputation for doing one thing exceptionally well: providing premium-feel, direct air service to Out Island destinations that larger carriers have historically ignored.

The experience begins before you even board. Flights depart from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), a general aviation facility that sidesteps the chaos of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International. Passengers access private lounge departures, and the overall vibe is more yacht club than airport terminal — unhurried, relaxed, and tailored toward travelers who’ve already decided this trip is going to be different.

David Hocher, President of Makers Air, struck a collaborative note in announcing the route. “Cat Island has been an incredibly supportive partner as we’ve continued to expand our service offerings,” he said. “We are excited to build on that relationship with the launch of scheduled service into Arthur’s Town, creating new opportunities for both visitors and residents while strengthening connectivity to this special destination.”

The airline also flagged an important operational detail for Cat Island travelers to note: Makers Air’s long-term vision for the island includes serving both Arthur’s Town and New Bight Airport. When New Bight faces temporary closures — which can occur with smaller island airstrips — operations will transfer to Arthur’s Town seamlessly, ensuring that Cat Island service remains consistent rather than subject to the disruptions that have historically frustrated travelers to the island.

Bigger Picture: Bahamas Invests in Its Family Islands

The timing of this announcement is no coincidence. It arrives against the backdrop of a significant push by the Bahamian government to improve aviation infrastructure and airlift across the Family Islands — the collective name for the archipelago’s 16 islands beyond Nassau.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, framed the Arthur’s Town Airport launch within that larger national project. “The commissioning of the new Arthur’s Town Airport reflects the Bahamas government’s commitment to the Renaissance of our Family Islands through the unprecedented development of over 19 airports across our archipelago and the resultant expansion of new airlift to traditionally underserved communities,” he said.

This isn’t merely ribbon-cutting rhetoric. Across the Out Islands, improved airport infrastructure is being paired with exactly the kind of airline partnerships that Makers Air represents — carriers willing to operate frequent, reliable service to destinations where the economics don’t necessarily favor mass-market aviation. The goal is to broaden the Bahamas’ tourism footprint beyond Nassau and the Exumas, distributing economic benefit more evenly while satisfying the growing traveler appetite for authentic, off-the-beaten-track Caribbean experiences.

Dr. Kenneth Romer, Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism, acknowledged Makers Air’s track record in this space. The airline, he noted, has proven itself as one of the Bahamas’ most respected airline partners in driving stopover visitor arrivals to the Family Islands and contributing to the economic growth of both international and domestic tourism.

What This Means for Travelers Planning a Cat Island Trip

Practically speaking, the new Tuesday-Thursday schedule gives Cat Island a meaningful boost in accessibility without yet swamping it with the volume that would alter its character. For travelers, the calculus is relatively straightforward: Fort Lauderdale is a major hub with easy connections from across the US and Canada, and direct service to Arthur’s Town eliminates the multi-leg odysseys — Nassau connection, tiny charter, long transfer — that have historically been the price of admission for Cat Island.

For northern Cat Island properties, homeowners, and small operators, the freight logistics angle is also real. Reliable scheduled service means dependable cargo, which is not a trivial concern for remote island businesses managing resupply.

The route also positions Cat Island squarely in competition with Eleuthera, Long Island, and the Exumas for the discerning traveler who wants Bahamian beauty without the Bahamian crowds. Those are well-established destinations with strong visitor bases. Cat Island’s relative obscurity is both its challenge and its greatest selling point — and scheduled air service is exactly what it has needed to convert curious interest into booked trips.

Looking Ahead

The broader trend here is worth watching. As Caribbean travel continues to evolve in the post-pandemic era — with travelers increasingly prioritising authenticity, sustainability, and genuine cultural engagement over packaged convenience — the Family Islands are having a moment. Airline connectivity is, invariably, what turns a moment into a movement.

Makers Air’s decision to add Arthur’s Town as its 12th Bahamian destination signals confidence not just in Cat Island specifically, but in the Out Islands category as a whole. With the Bahamian government investing heavily in airport infrastructure and actively courting airline partners willing to serve less-traveled routes, the next few years could see meaningful shifts in how international visitors experience the archipelago.

For now, the invitation is simpler: if Cat Island has been on your list — and for a certain type of traveler, it absolutely should be — May 12 is a date worth noting. The flights are scheduled. The airport is new. The island remains beautifully, defiantly itself.

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