Cayman Airways adds Florida evacuation flight ahead of Hurricane Milton

Cayman Airways is stepping up to help the government evacuate Caymanian students and residents in Tampa, Florida, as Hurricane Milton is forecast to make landfall in the area on Wednesday.

The airline has scheduled an extra flight on Monday for students and other Caymanians in the path of the storm.

Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, also the education minister, said the safety of Caymanians became the top priority as the storm headed towards the Florida coast and that students in the state were being contacted to find out if they wanted to leave or shelter in place.

In the statement, Premier O’Connor-Connolly added, “We want to ensure that students know they are being supported and they are aware of their options, including coming home if they choose to do so.”

The Scholarship Unit will contact students in the state, the statement said.

Cayman Airways has also agreed to waive changed fees for its Tampa and Miami flights.

The US National Hurricane Center’s 4pm advisory said Milton is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane by the time it reaches the west coast of the peninsula. Hurricane watches will likely be issued Sunday night or early Monday.

Minister for Tourism and Ports Kenneth Bryan said Caymanians had just seen the effects of the powerful Hurricane Helene on the eastern United States.

He added, “I want to assure the community that my ministry and Cayman Airways teams are working urgently and diligently to ensure that all Caymanians have an opportunity to be safely brought home.”

The special flight will leave Cayman at 5.10pm and arrive in Tampa at 8pm.

The return leg will leave at 9pm and arrive back in Cayman at 9.50pm.

To book a seat on the extra flight, call Cayman Airways on 345-949-2311 or 1-800-422-9626, which is toll-free in the USA.

Flyers can also contact a travel travel agent or book online at www.caymanairways.com.

The government said updates on the crisis would be issued if needed.