Managua Airport (MGA)
Managua Airport (MGA) is the Augusto C. Sandino, Nicaragua's main international airport, 11 kilometres east of downtown Managua. It has three ramps, for international, cargo and domestic flights, and the international ramp has 10 positions and 4 boarding bridges. Immigration and customs operate around the clock.
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Updated October 2026
The terminal at Managua Airport
The Augusto C. Sandino airport is located 11 kilometres east of downtown Managua, along the Carretera Norte, a six-lane highway, and it is Nicaragua's main international airport.
It has three ramps, for international, cargo and domestic flights. The international ramp has 10 positions and 4 boarding bridges, and ground handling and the catering service are on site.
Getting to and from Managua Airport
The airport is on the Carretera Norte, 11 kilometres east of the city, so the drive in is on a six-lane highway. The airport has parking and a car rental service, and it has a solar plant on the parking area.
What happens when you arrive at MGA
Keep your passport and any form you filled in on the plane with you the whole way, from the aircraft door to the exit.
Immigration, customs and the weather station all operate 24 hours a day, so the airport is open around the clock for arrivals as well as departures.
Managua Airport with children
The international ramp has 4 boarding bridges, so most international flights are boarded from the building rather than from a bus on the apron, which is easier with a small child and a stroller.
Leave the passports and the children's documents in your carry-on bag, not in checked luggage, so you have them at immigration.
Plan your stop at Managua Airport
Check with the airline and the airport's own site before you travel: the terminals, the airlines and the arrival procedures change. And check with the embassy or consulate about the documents your family needs for the entry rules of every country on your route.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is Managua Airport?
The Augusto C. Sandino airport is 11 kilometres east of downtown Managua, along the Carretera Norte, a six-lane highway. It is Nicaragua's main international airport.
How many terminals does Managua Airport have?
It has three ramps, for international, cargo and domestic flights. The international ramp has 10 positions and 4 boarding bridges.
Which airlines fly from Managua Airport?
Grupo TACA, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Copa Airlines, Atlantic Airlines and La Costeña, with Arrow Air, UPS, Copa Cargo and TACA Cargo on the cargo side.
Is Managua Airport open at night?
Yes. Immigration, customs and the weather station all operate 24 hours a day, so the airport handles arrivals as well as departures around the clock.
What do I do first when I land at MGA?
Keep your passport and any form you filled in on the plane with you the whole way, from the aircraft door to the exit, and leave the children's documents in your carry-on bag.