In response to growing local demand, Cayman Airways is expanding its Panama service this summer with the addition of weekly Friday flights.

The additional flights will operate from 26 June through 28 Aug., complementing the airline’s regular year-round Monday and Thursday schedule and increasing weekly service from two to three flights.

With each aircraft accommodating 160 passengers, the expanded schedule will provide up to 480 outbound seats from Grand Cayman to Panama each week during the summer period.

Olivia Scott-Ramirez, Cayman Airways’ director of marketing and public relations, said the airline has seen particularly strong demand during the summer travel season.

“We’ve definitely seen growing demand for travel on the route, particularly during the busy summer travel season, so the addition of Friday flights this summer allows us to accommodate that demand while providing customers with even greater flexibility when planning their trips,” she said, adding that Panama is one of the airline’s most popular international routes.

More opportunities for the summer months

The added service gives travellers more options beyond the airline’s traditional Thursday to Monday pattern, making shorter weekend breaks and one night end of week business trips easier to schedule.

Scott-Ramirez said that the route serves a broad mix of passengers.

“While we do see families travelling to Panama during the summer months, the route also attracts a diverse mix of customers, including groups, couples and business travellers,” she said.

“We also have customers connecting in Panama to destinations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, especially travellers who are visiting friends and family. Panama serves as a major regional hub for Latin America, making it an attractive gateway for multi-destination trips.”

Given that Panama’s Tocumen International Airport serves as one of Latin America’s principal aviation hubs, the added flight also provides an opportunity for Cayman to grow tourism market share from Latin America, which is currently less than 3%.

Tocumen International Airport provides onward connections to destinations including Costa Rica, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and the Dominican Republic.

Schedule

Cayman Airways’ regular year-round Panama service operates on Mondays and Thursdays, with flights departing Grand Cayman at 11.30am and arriving in Panama at 1.30pm and departing from Panama at 3pm, with arrival at Owen Roberts International Airport at 5pm Cayman time.

Under the expanded schedule, Friday flights will depart Grand Cayman at 10.45am and arrive in Panama at 12.45pm. The return flight will leave Panama at 1.45pm and arrive in Grand Cayman at 3.45pm.

Panama tourism

Like Cayman, Panama has been experiencing strong tourism momentum this year. The country recorded its best first quarter on record in 2026, welcoming 999,934 visitors between January and March, a 17.3% increase over the same period last year and generating more than US$2 billion in economic activity.

The Panama Tourism Authority and PROMTUR Panama have expanded international marketing campaigns across key source markets and strengthened partnerships with major travel and aviation companies including Copa Airlines, Expedia, Despegar, Air Europa and Royal Caribbean as part of efforts to drive continued growth.

For Cayman travellers, Panama offers a combination of city activities and easy onward connections. Visitors can explore the Panama Canal, the historic Casco Antiguo district, shopping and dining areas, as well as rainforest and wildlife experiences.