After much anticipation and an understandable “believe it when I see it” attitude from potential customers, American Airlines and Spirit returned to the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua, Nicaragua last week.
For both airlines, they were their first flights since March 2020 when the Covid-19 Pandemic shut down scheduled flights into the country.
Despite the International Airport in Managua re-opening in July of 2020, Spirit and American did not return with any of their previously scheduled flights.
However, they are back now and join Avianca, Copa and AeroMexico in providing regularly scheduled flights into Nicaragua’s capital city of Managua which will hopefully create a more competitive market, resulting in lower ticket prices.
It is estimated that between Avianca, Spirit and American Airlines, up to 866 passengers per day can now fly from Florida (Miami and Fort Lauderdale).
Spirit Airlines
The “ultra-low-cost” airline, headquartered in Miramar (Florida), resumed their flights between Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) and Managua (MGA) with a daily service using the Airbus A320 and a flight number of NK435.
Flight Times:
From Fort Lauderdale, departs at 11:50PM and arrives in Managua at 1:28AM (nest morning).
From Managua, the flight departs at 2:42AM and arrives at Fort Lauderdale, Florida at 6:15AM.
Although Nicaragua has been off their radar for over two and a half years, Spirit have been increasing flights to other Central American destinations such as; Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras (San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa) as well as Panama.
Links to Spirit for;
As a low cost airline, Spirit has strict baggage restrictions and fees. See links below;
Size and weight limits for bags
American Airlines
The giant US carrier American Airlines (AA) resumed its service to Managua with a daily 737-800 airplane which can carry 170 passengers.
Flight Times:
The AA flight between Miami and Managua departs MIA at 10:25AM every day, landing in Managua at a very respectable 12:30PM local time, so you can be at the beach well before sunset for some happy hour beach cocktails!
The return flight to Miami departs MGA at 1:20PM, landing at 4:55PM local time in Miami.
Through the American Airlines “Hub” in Miami, the US airline now services ten destinations in Central America; Belize, Honduras (Comayagua/Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and Roatán), Guatemala, Costa Rica (Liberia and San José), San Salvador and Managua.
Note: Click here for Entry Requirements for Nicaragua – Covid-19
