Third prop plane planned for Sister Islands, cruise on the horizon

A third Twin Otter plane will be purchased to help provide adequate airlift into Little Cayman, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan pledged Thursday.

The minister outlined big plans for the Sister Islands throwing his support behind internet entrepreneur Frank Schilling’s ‘Port Zeus’ project, which he said could help facilitate cruise tourism on Cayman Brac.

Bryan also said a major airline – believed to be American Airlines – could soon be flying direct from the US to the Brac.

Suggesting the west side of Grand Cayman was effectively maxed out in terms of its tourism development, he said future growth would likely focus on the eastern districts and the sister islands.

But he said that policy wouldn’t work without the support of the people and he hopes to host a meeting on the Brac to get input in the new year.

Answering questions from former Tourism Minister and Brac MP Moses Kirkconnell during Thursday’s meeting of Parliament, he acknowledged the current airlift into Little Cayman was “dire”.

Tourists had to be ferried to and from the sister islands on dive boats last month with both Twin Otter planes out of action. Larger aircraft can’t land on the rustic runway and Cayman Airways has faced ongoing challenges to keep up with demand from dive tourists visiting the Bloody Bay Wall and marine park.

Bryan said he hoped to be able to announce the purchase of a new plane in the near future. He said the matter would go to caucus and then to Cabinet for approval.

But he is confident that an equity injection to the national airline will be made to ensure visitors can get to and from Little Cayman.

“My team at Cayman Airways has already been told to begin looking into purchase opportunities.”

The minister also highlighted the potential for cruise calls into the Brac.

Referencing Port Zeus – Frank Schilling’s  ‘masterplan’ for a new marina, port and village in Cayman Brac – he said there was opportunities within that layout to facilitate some cruise arrivals.

“I have already got preliminary commitments from some cruise lines who would be willing to stop in Cayman Brac if that project goes through.”

Bryan said he hoped the Brac could develop a sustainable tourism industry of its own that did not rely on Grand Cayman at all. Highlighting increased airlift, the Port Zeus project, the airport development and the potential development of adventure tourism on the island, he said it offered a different experience to the other two islands

Kirkconnell also gave vocal support to the Port Zeus project and the prospect of an American Airlines direct flight to the Brac. He said the airlift was essential to any expansion of tourism on the islands.

“If we don’t sort out the lift problem it doesn’t make sense to spend the millions you have just talked about,” he added.

Speaking to the Compass following Bryan’s confirmation that a new Twin Otter plane would be purchased, Peter Quilliam, president of the Sister Islands Tourism Association, said that would be welcome relief for suffering businesses.

He said multiple groups had cancelled Little Cayman vacations because of a lack of flight availability and urged government to get the new plane in service as soon as possible.

“On behalf of the members of the Sister Islands Tourism Association, especially the operators on Little Cayman, we could not be more thrilled that the Cayman Islands Government has indicated it will approve the purchase of a third Twin Otter.

“Our collective hope now is that the purchase is speedy and in time to cater for our high season demand. We look forward to welcoming the new plane, and the tourists it brings, to our beautiful islands.”