Air Service Changes to GC

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:54 pm Post subject: Air Service Changes to GC

Below is a copy of an article that appeared in the Caymanian Compass on 3/21/07 announcing air service changes to GC:

Quote:

CAL adds NYC flight

National flag carrier Cayman Airways is to begin non?stop flights between New York and Grand Cayman starting in just three months? time.

The new route between Owen Roberts International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, subject to regulatory approval, will begin on 23 June, Minister for Tourism Charles Clifford announced at a press conference yesterday.

There have been continued calls from members of the tourism private sector for direct air service between Grand Cayman and the New York area. It is the single largest source market for the Cayman Islands tourism industry, with more than 30 per cent of all US air arrival visitors coming from the tri?state area.

?The start of this route signals the government?s commitment to ensuring the national airline continues to be a driver of the local economy. The route addresses the needs of the tourism industry and will be convenient for the financial services industry,? said Mr. Clifford.

He noted that the recommendation came from the CAL Board of Directors whose decision is based on analysis and support from the CAL management team, the Lufthansa Consultants and the Department of Tourism.

CAL?s new CEO Patrick Strasburger said, ?Arrival figures show a 95 per cent increase in the number of visitors in 2006 vs. 2005 from the Northeast. This is excellent competitive positioning for our airline, providing access to a proven travel market for the Cayman Islands.?

The strategic move is part of the plan to operate CAL more efficiently and profitably, he said.

He explained that a comprehensive marketing plan has been developed with the Department of Tourism, which will feature television advertising, and working with on?island hotel partners there will be excellently priced vacation packages.

Speaking on behalf of the private sector, Resort Manager with the Ritz?Carlton, Grand Cayman, Chris Sariego said they are delighted with the move as the direct flights will result in tremendous business for the Cayman Islands.

Vice President and General Manager of the Ritz?Carlton, Grand Cayman Jean Cohen had led the planning effort on behalf of the private sector as the Cayman Islands Tourism Association?s chairperson for the hotel sector.

Minister Clifford said, ?The data clearly indicates how important the Northeast market is to our tourism industry. I commend the board and management of Cayman Airways for responding to this demand with the introduction of the New York route.

?As we have stated in the past, one of the key roles of our national airline is to support the islands as an engine of economic growth. I am therefore extremely pleased to see the industry come together in this fashion.?

Mr. Clifford also announced that the board of directors has agreed to not resume service to Boston next season and to discontinue the Fort Lauderdale route after 4 May.

Mr. Strasburger said that these two markets don?t have the market size to uphold the flights.

Fort Lauderdale was competing with nearby Miami, he said, and Boston is also in the Northeast area, which will now be serviced through New York.

Spirit Airlines also serves the Grand Cayman/Fort Lauderdale route.

Cayman Airways will operate three weekly flights to JFK Airport. The flights leave Grand Cayman on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 4.10pm and depart New York at 9am on Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays.

Chairman of the Board Angelyn Hernandez said that last September/October the CAL Board first started to examine the potential of a New York route because of demand from the private sector.

A special price of CI$388 return has been introduced for those wishing to book their tickets before 15 April. A regular price has yet to be announced.

Mr. Strasburger said the airline will continue to analyse potentially profitable routes.

Should the proposed changes affect your travel plans, please be guided accordingly for future travel. And don't forget to timely apply/obtain your passports!

jpep

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:00 pm Post subject:

That will be great for all of you New Yorkers! clapping

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:21 pm Post subject:

Non-stop without having to go through Miami is definitely good news! ThumbsUp

Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:38 am Post subject:

jpep wrote:

Non-stop without having to go through Miami is definitely good news! ThumbsUp

3 stops without having to go through Miami would be good news. spin

Native Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 1197 Location: Illinois

I'm still wondering what they are going to do about Chicago. They have had flights once or twice a week over the holidays. But they have not posted their schedule for these flights yet and CA told me that they were discontinuing them this spring--but I didn't know if that was permanent or temporary. I was afraid to wait and see, so booked on another carrier--though nonstop was terrific.

Shelly :-)

Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:30 am Post subject:

billinwilliamst wrote:

3 stops without having to go through Miami would be good news. spin

Amen, brother!

DS

Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:33 am Post subject:

Oh, Baby!!! Jump

Status Member Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 854

Quote:

I'm still wondering what they are going to do about Chicago. They have had flights once or twice a week over the holidays. But they have not posted their schedule for these flights yet and CA told me that they were discontinuing them this spring--but I didn't know if that was permanent or temporary. I was afraid to wait and see, so booked on another carrier--though nonstop was terrific. Shelly :-)

Quote:

From what I was told, Cayman Air stops flights from Chicago in March or early April and then resumes again sometime in the fall. That was one airlines I checked out but another poster had horrible luck with CA......so I don't know at this point if I would ever use them.

Native Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 1197 Location: Illinois

Knees

We were very happy with Cayman Airways from chicago. It was so nice not to have to connect --there was no one on the plane on the way down so we could spread out. Coming back the plane was filled but we definitely ejoyed the non-stop. When you connect with Cayman Airways in Miami or Tampa you have to go to the ticket counter to check in which is kind of a hastle. Not so much in Tampa, which was pretty easy, but Miami is definitely a hastle because you have to back through security.

Shelly :-)

Status Member Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 854

Quote:

Knees We were very happy with Cayman Airways from chicago. It was so nice not to have to connect --there was no one on the plane on the way down so we could spread out. Coming back the plane was filled but we definitely ejoyed the non-stop. When you connect with Cayman Airways in Miami or Tampa you have to go to the ticket counter to check in which is kind of a hastle. Not so much in Tampa, which was pretty easy, but Miami is definitely a hastle because you have to back through security. Shelly :-)

Quote:

I guess you can't please all the people all the time........as the saying goes.

Quote:

If we return to GC after our first trip I will check out CA again. When I booked I thought I was told we were connecting in Charlotte but when I checked my E-ticket I see we are connecting in Atlanta. At least it's not Miami.

Meanwhile I'm anxiously awaiting our first visit. Don't know what's up with this reply. I have two quotes. LOL

Native Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 1197 Location: Illinois

knees

Have a great time--I know you've researched long and hard for this trip

Shelly :-)

Status Member Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 854

Thanks Shelly. Yes, I actually started researaching in Jan. of 06 but our spring plans fell through due to DH's work schedule.

I'm already starting to get things organized. spindance

Of course with the temp being on 27 degrees here, it makes me want to leave tomorrow. ottahere

Native Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 1197 Location: Illinois

Knees

It's really been a long winter here too (chicago area--just when we thought spring was here, we were hit with another cold wave)

You'll love Cayman

Shelly :-)

Status Member Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 854

shelly wrote:

Knees

It's really been a long winter here too (chicago area--just when we thought spring was here, we were hit with another cold wave)

You'll love Cayman

Shelly :-)

That's right........you are close to me. LOL Hasn't the wind been wonderful the past few days? Rolling Eyes

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:29 am Post subject:

Knees & Shelly,

Yeah, what's with the return of January? Sub-freezing temps and howling 20-40 mph winds are just not welcome in April.

Knees, by the time you get back on May 22, spring should be well under way, so hang in there.

Wish we were goin' back soon!

ds

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