Direct flights from Cayman to Barbados have been cancelled after tourism officials pulled the plug on the failing route.
The news comes just weeks after the Cayman Compass revealed that just 34 passengers per flight were using the service – enough to fill only six rows of Cayman Airways’ 176-seater jets.
The decision was taken by the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, which was subsidising the route.
Launched in October last year, the twice-weekly flights were billed as a milestone for inter-Caribbean travel and a service that would open up new connections for Cayman travellers to Europe.
But the termination of the short-lived experiment was announced Friday, with the last flight planned for July.
The news came via a joint press release from Barbados officials, Cayman Airways and the Ministry of Tourism.
Andrea Franklin, CEO of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, said the decision followed a comprehensive review of the airlift into the country.
“Following the evaluation of the route’s performance the BTMI and Cayman Airways mutually agreed to terminate the arrangement,” she said. “We express our gratitude to Cayman Airways for their support and indicated that the possibility of future partnerships remains open.”
Cayman Islands Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan is also quoted in the release saying the decision allowed both parties to explore new opportunities.
“Throughout the contracted period, Cayman Airways has diligently fulfilled its commitment to provide reliable, quality service between our countries. Moving forward, our national airline will continue to prioritise tourism and domestic routes, utilising our aircraft to support these vital connections,” Bryan said.
Cayman Airways CEO Fabian Whorms has previously explained that the airline is guaranteed to make no loss from the route because of its contractual arrangement with the Barbados tourism group, which ensures a minimum revenue level.
Despite that assurance, opposition voices have suggested the national airline’s fleet and crews could be put to better use.
Former Tourism Minster Moses Kirkconnell raised concerns in Parliament earlier this year, questioning, “Is there some place that you can fly that plane that will bring more economic value to the Cayman Islands than flying to Barbados?”
A total of 1,912 paying passengers across 56 flights made use of that route between its October launch and the end of January, according to data provided to Kirkconnell in response to a parliamentary question. Even fewer passengers had been booked on future flights.
The BTMI press release indicated that flights will continue through 3 July to facilitate increased travel for the T20 Cricket World Cup taking place in the region this summer.
Related Videos
This was doomed to failure before the first flight, everyone could see this except for our highly paid decision makers.
Generous of the politicians to guarantee profits. I wonder if it was their own money if they would have signed on. How much did this cost the good people of Barbados. I expect the politicians took a few test flights to fill the empty seats we were paying for.
Wasn’t a smaller plane available?
Now restart the very popular early morning flights to Miami and the late evening flights from Miami back to Grand Cayman.
Useful for locals going to Miami for shopping and for tourists coming from and returning to the USA.
These flights will often enable them to avoid overnighting in Miami as far more convenient for connecting flights.
Ummm.. and we didn’t see that coming!!!! Dear politicians, please use common sense (not a common commodity I appreciate). This flight was doomed to failure before it began and most ordinary folk could see this. Put your egos aside and use your brains please! Early morning flight to Miami so we can get medical appointments done in a day… Yes, that was a popular one! Give the people what they want. Stop these lunatic flights of fancy and give us useful routes. It doesn’t matter that the Barbados government ensured we didn’t lose money; running half empty flights is a waste for everyone!
More than meets the eye. Of course this was a doomed decision. My cayman parrot would have made a better decision like sticking to what works best for these islands (more Miami/Florida flights). Until these politicians stop beating their chests and wasting tax payers money, our future looks really grim.