Cayman Airways confirms return to Tampa
(CNS): Cayman Airways has resumed its commercial flights between Grand Cayman and Tampa after more than 18 months since the borders closed to international flights in March 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Paul Tibbetts, Executive Vice President of Finance and Commercial Affairs, noted that the airline has been flying this route since 1986 and said he was thrilled to relaunch the service. “It’s an important route for Cayman residents and visitors alike,” he added.
When flight KX200 departed Grand Cayman there was a customary Water Cannon Salute by the Cayman Islands Fire Service. The resumption is for a weekly nonstop flight between Owen Roberts International Airport and Tampa International Airport on Saturdays, with the addition of Mondays in December. This schedule is confirmed through 31 December, but additional flights may be added subject to demand and the Cayman government’s border reopening plans.
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan said the return of the Tampa flight was encouraging news and gives travellers a choice of gateways from Florida.
“This is a further positive step in governments reopening plans and serves as an indication that the Cayman Islands is poised to welcome visitors from the United States,” Bryan said, though he did not say when that would be. “The resumption of Cayman Airways’ Tampa service will facilitate an increase in air arrivals, which in turn will provide a welcomed boost to our tourism industry.”
Tourism Director Rosa Harris said, “Cayman Airways plays an integral role in the development of our tourism product and is a change catalyst partner as we navigate the next phase of our border reopening plan. Our strong strategic partnership will transform the new COVID-19 landscape in the Cayman Islands tourism industry and support increased economic activity for the benefit of the country.”
The first JetBlue flight also landed Saturday bringing travellers from New York, as announced last week by the tourism minister.
“The arrival of this first commercial flight from New York to Cayman carrying tourists is quite significant for us,” he said. “Our strategic, phased reopening plan has facilitated this major aviation milestone and we are grateful to welcome travellers from New York back to our shores to experience all that Cayman has to offer.”
In accordance with the Cayman Islands Government’s reopening plan, securely verified, vaccinated travellers arriving in Cayman are still subject to public health measures, such as quarantine and on-island testing to ensure both locals and visitors remain safe.
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Category: Business, Local News, Transport, Travel
Flights to Montreal again please. I need some culture for a change and not Wendy’s, KFC or Burger King.
Don’t forget Pizza Hut. Ya man. Not nearly as good as getting your meat smoked in Montreal.
“Not nearly as good as getting your meat smoked in Montreal”
Excellent point, and the sandwiches are amazing too!!
Great, another long haul flight for our new jets.
When is Cayman going to allow tourists from the U.K. again? Also why the quarantine if we have proven certificate of double dose vaccination plus booster dose? ……no tourist will want to be quarantined for a week of a 2wk vacation at such an extortionate cost.
When is Cayman going to allow tourists from the US again? Also, why the quarantine if we have proven CDC card of double dose vaccination plus booster dose? …..no tourist will want to be quarantined for a week of a 1 week vacation at such an extortionate cost.
Not sure with the new COVID variant in the U.K. we want U.K. tourists for some time.
When is Cayman going to allow tourists from the Canada again? Also, why the quarantine if we have proven Provincial Health card of double dose vaccination plus booster dose? …..no tourist will want to be quarantined for a week of a 1 week vacation at such an extortionate cost.
Are you going to post this country by country? You have another 180 or so to go……….
Also no tourist will want to go to a Caribbean island that has no more beach. Fully Vaxxed or not. West Jet regular flights from Canada won’t be happening anytime soon. Only 179 countries or so to go now.
Can someone find out how many people were on the first Jet Blue flight? Would be interesting to see if they were mostly business people, returning residents etc. Can’t believe there were many tourist at this point.
Hope if I book a flight they won’t cancel it like my last one to Miami.
Getting there is good news, however the hoops you have to jump through to get back, including to confusing quarantine Regs. as well as waiting for test results at the last minute, dulls the enthusiasm to travel.
Remember flying in the 1990’s ? Drive up to the Curb at MIA 40 minutes before the flight and walk through the old F or G terminal to your gate for KX . Get some duty free Rum on the way . Heavy on the Tortuga rum in the island Punch. Oh take us all back , Unna ?
They need to resume flights between here & Orlando.
Best comment of the year.
I’d rather fly to Hell and Back
Get the Denver one back on
They need to get all US flights up and running. Never should have paused to reopening.
Max 8?
No thanks
Jet Blue fly Airbus.
NYC here we come
No they are flying an Embraer 190
JetBlue uses their A320 for scheduled flights from JFK to GCM. https://uk.flightaware.com/live/findflight?origin=KJFK&destination=MWCR
Quarantine….NO THANKS!
Then keep your Covid self in your own country. We have enough Covid here.
I am confused are you scared of a disease that has killed 4 million out of 8 billion and you are vaccinated? If I am confused just get vaccinated and move on
Hey Dan yes get vaccinated but let’s not forget our children “cannot” be vaccinated as yet. So what you are saying open the borders and wipe out the next generation? Now with the UK delta variant it appears vaccinated or not, this one is going to knock the crap out of ya!