Canadian airline Porter Airlines is launching two non-stop flight routes to the Cayman Islands this winter, including the first direct service between Ottawa, Ontario, and Grand Cayman.
The economy-class airline is launching a three-times-a-week flight between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman and a once-weekly flight between Ottawa International Airport and Grand Cayman. The Toronto service will commence on 16 Dec., and the Ottawa service will begin on 19 Dec.
The Ottawa flight marks the first-ever non-stop service to the Cayman Islands from Canada’s capital and is expected to boost Canadian visitor numbers over the winter period. Last year, overnight visitors to the Cayman Islands from Canada totalled 30,077, making up nearly 7% of overall visitor numbers.
Porter Airlines also announced new flights to Mexico, Costa Rica and the Bahamas for the coming winter season.
In addition to Grand Cayman, the full line-up of destinations is Cancun and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; and Liberia, Costa Rica. The new ‘sun destinations’ are Porter’s first international routes outside Canada and the United States.
The newly announced routes give Porter access to sunny, warm destinations during the Canadian winter, when domestic travel declines to some locations.
“These are Porter’s first routes outside of our longtime presence throughout Canada and the US and we’re starting off in a big way by introducing five distinctly different destinations,” said Kevin Jackson, president of Porter Airlines.
“This is a significant development for anyone who wants to fly with Porter to more places and experience our award-winning service that focuses on making flying enjoyable for economy travellers.”
The new routes will be served by the single-aisle, 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft and passengers will be offered complimentary beer and wine, snacks, and free high-speed WiFi.
“We are thrilled to welcome Porter Airlines to the Cayman Islands with its inaugural non-stop service from two key Canadian gateways,” said Rosa Harris, director of tourism for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism.
“Porter is a favourite among our cherished Canadian travellers, recognized for its outstanding service and comfort.
“These new routes are the result of strategic business development efforts by the CIDOT to provide more convenient, non-stop travel options for Canadians, broadening our reach. We look forward to welcoming even more Canadians this winter to enjoy our stunning beaches, vibrant culture, superb cuisine, and warm Caymanian hospitality.”
Porter’s expansion into the Caribbean and Central America comes as the Toronto-based airline has reduced the frequency of flights to the US during the summer season. Many Canadian operators have reported weakening demand to the US caused by growing tensions between the neighbouring countries amid the developing trade war, President Donald Trump’s talk of annexing Canada as the 51st American state and increasing difficulties with travelling to the US.
Porter ended its non-stop route to San Diego this week — less than seven months after launching it — and cancelled a planned route between Montréal and Las Vegas before it was launched.
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