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

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!

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