CAL Boosting International Offerings

Cayman Airways is in the midst of establishing arrangements to add two destinations to its international repertoire, including fulfilling a long-standing desire to tap a potentially lucrative and expanding commercial passenger market in Panama.

Twice-weekly seasonal service to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama, as well as seasonal operations to Dallas, Texas, has been in the works for months. But service by the national flag carrier of the Cayman Islands to both markets appears to be nearing fruition with flights tentatively slated to begin to both locations this year.

Fabian Whorms, president and chief executive officer of Cayman Airways Limited, said the government-owned airline intends to begin twice-weekly roundtrip flights between Grand Cayman and Tocumen International Airport – Central America’s busiest airport by passenger traffic – in April and continue through August.

Meanwhile, the potential for Cayman Airways to offer seasonal service to and from Dallas also remains in the formative stages. Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush said last week during a business conference he anticipated those flights would follow suit this summer.  

Interlining is a commercial agreement between airlines to handle passengers travelling on itineraries requiring multiple airlines. In the case of Cayman Airways, the Cayman Islands economy and its connection to Panama, this could help serve as a gateway to the lucrative South American market, especially Brazil, as Copa is well-positioned to benefit from continued growth in Latin America.  

Flight time between Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman and Tocumen International Airport in Panama is about two hours – a connection the Cayman Islands Government and tourism industry officials have long eyed as facilitating a potential economic windfall.