Cayman Airways’ inaugural flight to its newest destination – Barbados – from Grand Cayman took off from Owen Roberts International Airport Wednesday morning.
The launch of the service – which will be once a week until early November and twice-weekly during the winter months – was scheduled to coincide with the 2023 Barbados Food and Rum Festival taking place this week in that country.
“The introduction of the Barbados route will offer cost-effective flights that will significantly enhance the convenience of travel overall to, and within, the Caribbean,” Cayman’s Tourism and Ports Minister Kenneth Bryan said in a statement.
He added, “The financial commitment from [Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc] to back this Cayman Airways service has been crucial in making a Barbados route a reality. It underscores the long-standing relationship and spirit of cooperation that exists between the governments of the Cayman Islands and Barbados.”
Bryan, who also serves as chairman of the region-wide Caribbean Tourism Organization, said the launch of this new weekly air service represents “a significant milestone in bolstering connectivity within the eastern and western Caribbean regions” and serves as a “powerful symbol of the immense potential that emerges when Caribbean nations collaborate”.
Cayman Airways chairman John-Paul Clarke said he was pleased to celebrate the launch of the service and the collaboration with Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc “that made it a reality”.
He added, “Their support has been instrumental in getting this fledgling route off the ground and we look forward to the continuation of this productive partnership to ensure the route’s sustained growth and success.”
He noted that, in addition to providing non-stop service to and from Barbados, the new flight was timed to provide convenient connections to the eastern Caribbean and Europe via carriers that fly to the Grantley Adams International Airport.
“This new service also provides convenient connections via Grand Cayman to Los Angeles, effectively linking the West Coast of the United States with the Eastern Caribbean,” he said. “Additionally, we have been able to synchronize the flight schedule to align with other Cayman Airways destinations. This expanded connectivity is expected to usher in fresh opportunities for business travel, tourism, and cultural exchange, further enhancing regional ties.”
Executives and staff of Barbados Tourism and Marketing Inc were among those who departed from Cayman on board the inaugural flight.
Honorary Consul to Barbados in the Cayman Islands, Juliette Gooding-Michelin, said the introduction of the new route marked an “exciting time for both Cayman and Barbados and these direct flights are welcomed by persons from other parts of the Caribbean who now have the opportunity to visit ‘back home’ more often with less travel stress”.
She added that it also allowed individuals who wish to explore business opportunities in either Barbados or Cayman to fly in and out of either country with ease.
‘Innovation and collaboration’
The acting chief executive officer of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Craig Hinds, said in the statement that the route was a “testament to the enduring spirit of innovation and collaboration that defines our region. It symbolizes our commitment to providing more convenient and efficient travel across the Caribbean region.”
He added, “Regional travel has often faced challenges, including complex connecting flights and layovers. The introduction of this direct service will alleviate some of these challenges, making it more convenient for travellers from the Northern Caribbean to experience the warmth, hospitality and the products that Barbados has to offer.”
According to Cayman Airways, the initial service will be available on Wednesdays. As the airline transitions into its winter schedule, starting from 5 Nov., the scheduled service between Grand Cayman and Barbados will be as follows:
Tuesdays: KX804 departs Grand Cayman at 5:10pm and arrives in Barbados at 9:35pm.
Wednesdays: KX805 departs Barbados at 11:45am and arrives in Grand Cayman at 2:25pm.
Thursdays: KX802 departs Grand Cayman at 4:30pm and arrives in Barbados at 8:55pm.
Fridays: KX803 departs Barbados at 9:20am and arrives in Grand Cayman at 12pm.
For more details, visit www.caymanairways.com.
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