CAL’s 2023 passenger load bigger than pre-COVID
(CNS): The national flag carrier of the Cayman Islands, Cayman Airways Limited (CAL), carried more passengers last year than it did in 2019, the last full year before the borders were closed in 202 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a press release this week, CAL said it transported 422,189 passengers in 2023 compared with 410,800 passengers in 2019, which had been a record-breaking year for tourists. The airline also managed to cut fuel consumption by 27% compared to 2019 with its fleet of Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft.
The number of passengers using the airline last year demonstrates the “resurgence in travel demand and showcases Cayman Airways’ dedication to meeting and exceeding the airlift needs of the Cayman Islands while operating successfully in a competitive and dynamic industry,” officials said in a press release.
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan congratulated the airline’s management team and staff. “This increase in passenger volume is a clear indication of the airline’s strength within an intensely competitive aviation industry and is a result they have worked very hard to attain,” Bryan said. “I am also particularly pleased that the service enhancements and operational streamlining introduced in 2023 have enhanced the airline’s sustainability and resilience amidst ongoing global challenges.”
Bryan said he was confident that the collaborative efforts between the ministry and CAL, coupled with the airline’s “commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience”, would “continue to drive growth in our dynamic tourism sector”.
Cayman Airways President and CEO Fabian Whorms attributed much of the progress to the tremendous efforts of the dedicated staff at the airline.
“As a company, we take pride in delivering outstanding customer service, and this commitment ultimately rests on the shoulders of our exceptional team,” he said. “Whether it is curating the initial schedule or providing convenient travel arrangement options for passengers or offering comfortable and on-time flights, our people at Cayman Airways are consistently focused on providing a top-quality experience.”
Whorms also revealed the passenger volume growth happened alongside what he called a significant 27% reduction in fuel consumption, amounting to 1.84 million fewer gallons compared to 2019. This achievement is due to the acquisition of the Boeing 737-8 Max planes, which use much less fuel per flight but can carry more passengers.
“Our strategic adjustments in flight offerings and aircraft usage also enabled us to fly 1,217 fewer hours in 2023, showcasing the fruit of our strategic approach to operational efficiency,” Whorms added.
Despite global challenges and changes in travel patterns, Cayman Airways officials said that 2023 ultimately emerged as a transformative year for the airline. The volume marks the third-highest passenger volume in the airline’s history and was achieved while it balanced the launch of new services with the
rationalisation of existing supply to match demand.
“Throughout, Cayman Airways has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving customers while adapting to evolving circumstances,” the press release stated.
During the course of 2023, Cayman Airways also promoted and hired more Caymanian pilots and crew. It enjoyed its first successful year flying to Los Angeles and relaunched the Panama route. The airline also put charging ports in the economy cabin, revamped inflight meals, enhanced online booking and check-in and joined the United States’ TSA Pre-Check programme.
Executive VP Commercial Affairs and Chief Financial Officer Paul Tibbetts said the passenger volume and other achievements were particularly remarkable, given the persistent challenge of escalating costs
“The ongoing surge in worldwide oil prices, growth in supplier costs and regulatory-mandated cost increases continued to pose challenges to the airline throughout 2023,” he said. “The efforts of our dedicated team, in partnership with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, have produced strong passenger growth resulting in corresponding revenue growth, critical to offset those rising expenses. As a company, Cayman Airways remains committed to delivering the best possible customer experience to travellers while at the same time exploring avenues to curtail costs and enhance revenue streams.”
Board Chairperson Dr John-Paul Clarke said the airline business is a service business. “It provides services that meet the needs of their customers and make their lives easier. In that context, the record number of passengers on Cayman Airways is indicative that Cayman Airways and its dedicated employees continue to provide safe, convenient, and economical ways to travel to and from the Cayman Islands,” he added.
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Category: Business, Local News, Tourism, Travel
Boeing flags potential delays after supplier finds another problem with some 737 fuselages
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2024/02/05/boeing-flags-potential-delays-after-supplier-finds-another-problem-with-some-737-fuselages/?tbref=hp
As I understand it Cayman Airways losses money at $x per passenger. So the more passengers we get the bigger the loss. Did I miss something.
Yes but no mention of the flight that took off to Barbados the other day with no passengers. Explain that one.
While that is great news for Cayman Airways, I wish that they would develop a better air schedule for the inter-island route. Many times when I travel internationally, I have to overnight in Grand Cayman, which is an additional expense with lodging and vehicle rental. I’ve given this much thought, and I feel this could be remedied by an early morning flight (around 6AM) and a night flight (around 8PM) added.
I also feel that Cayman Airways Express could offer flights to Jamaica and Cuba at least, and there could be enough demand for this given the number of Jamaican and Cuban nationals living in Cayman Brac, and that it is easier to fill the SAAB for an international flight than the MAX 8s. Also concerning is that the SAAB aircraft keeps breaking down, which affects the reliability of inter-island travel. I am satisfied with the international flights Cayman Airways operates (there are some of the smoothest flights I’ve had).
What would be GREAT is if American Airlines restored the late evening incoming flight and the early morning departing flight. Those were just great for connections and resulting in much less overnighting.
(Not sure who controls this. Was great 2019 and prior).
The passenger numbers would be even higher, let alone improve other metrics, if you used the Barbados schedule to actually fly somewhere sensible.
Cayman Airways need to pay all their bills on time. Management is a joke.
Friends!!! This is WONderful news!! This means that Cayman Airways will no longer need to be subsidised by us, the people who fund government! weeeee!!
CORRECT.
Ask the questions.
How much does Government fund Cayman Airways each year? How much in TOTAL is provided to CAL by CIG in Service Level Agreements, equity etc.?
How much has CAL lost in the past 10 years excluding 2020 and 2021?
So you’re saying the airline lost more than pre-covid and required a larger cash injection to cover its losses? That part is left out of the story
We NEED evening flights coming in and morning flights going out! When back to a more useful skd of flights??? So much time + $ being wasted .
They have no control over this. It is not for Cayman Air to decide.
422k people ripped off with extortionate fares….
The fares themselves aren’t actually too bad when you break them down… it is the US and CI taxes that really add to the cost of the basic fare.
Having said that, it would be nice to see some more special or promotional fares at off peak times.
I, for one, am happy that we have CAL.. for a variety of reasons. Many other Caribbean destinations would love to have their own airline.
A jurisdiction of around 80,000 people with an airline with several massively expensive planes flying to some massively loss making destinations. What could possibly go wrong? Well, bankrupting the country maybe ( along with the Turtle Farm). Never forget Truman Bodden’s immortal, brilliant line: Cayman Airways made a profit after subsidy.
nonsense….its all cig money/charges no matter which way you twist it….
charging $400 for a 1 hour flight and still making a loss????…welcome to wonderland
we caymanians getting very little of the $$$$ pie?! zzzzzz
Get off your ass and work for it! Get a job, if you need more income get a second job. Want to progress up the ladder at work, do night classes. It’s not rocket science, however it takes a lot of HARD WORK and dedication!!
Bravo 3.39
Having washed dishes till 2am, after my day job, I can promise anyone that with work and ambition. you can make it without hand outs.
plus showing up ON TIME and on RAINY DAYS
I’d like to see a breakdown of these statistics against ticket revenue. Then a post mortem on the difference. Who gets all the freebies upgrades and discounts… on the public purse? 🥄
The stayovers make foreigners rich.
I used to stay on 7MB, but now refuse to pay $600 plus for a room with no beach. I now stay at a Caymanian owned air bnb that is 1/3 of the price, rent a car (which I always did ) and still not reaching the $600. A night. Anyone staying in those hotels now are foolish. Such a waste of money and a ripoff. Those hotels should be pricing out at $200 or less per night.
Of course this is due to all the efforts of CAL and not remotely related to a huge population growth or lower capacity offered by other carriers. How do the cost savings on fuel relate to the leasing costs – oh yes forgot that is a secret.
I always love how KX management loves to pick and choose the stats it provides to its owners, the Cayman taxpayer. What is the revenue per passenger mile?, what is the yield per passenger mile? What are the load factors per route? what is the on time performance? Of course we will never know as these are “confidential” and “commercially sensitive”. In other words we lose buckets of money and we are just not going to tell you how.
Too many flying for free, that’s what they don’t want to admit.
KX management need to be fired for incompetence, being overpaid, poor management, a toxic work environment and being loose with the truth at most times
Cayman Airways is instructed by the minister of the day. The management positions are simply government mouthpieces and to create the illusion of a semi privately run company. It is wholly owned by government.
All those full flights to Barbados hahahaha
Excellent news.
What is the impact on profitability?
No thanks to the Barbados route. The one flight where everyone is guaranteed and aisle seat.
That is one lightly filled plane (excluded non-revenue customers).
So passenger numbers are 400K+ many/most of which are visitors.
Then why not use the funds now earmarked for a new General Aviation Terminal (& dock), which serves say 1 or 2% of that total, and FINISH THE ROAD FROM THE ETH TO THE AIRPORT?
Or is the plan to wait another 4 / 5 years to do that? Meanwhile almost 2 million passengers meander through industrial park. Please explain that logic Minister Bryan.
You used logic and Kenny in the same sentence.
Perfect example of an oxymoron.